When he was in town with the Baa-Baas, All Black legend Joe Rokocoko decided he had a few things to say and, if that’s the case, then he might as well say them to www.rucked.com
How you enjoying England Joe?
I always enjoy coming toEngland. I’m quite to have been selected for the Barbarians – I’ve always wanted to play but I was a last-minute replacement because Siti (Sitiveni Sivivatu) had to pull out because his wife is expecting a little daughter or son. The style of rugby they play is similar to the All Blacks, but a bit more relaxed.
What’s your rugby year been like?
Well, I want to play this game so that I could get my tally for the year up – I’ve only played about 12 games.
Really?
Yeah, so I was just getting bored at home before I got the call.
Normally you hear players complain about the excessive number of games…
Yeah, because of the rotational system and not playing Super 14 I didn’t play much. It is funny because normally they’re tracking how many games you play to make sure you don’t play too much! Ben Cohen was telling me how much rugby they play over here and I was just like, well I’ll leave that to you guys, I’ll just enjoy my game back home.
Everyone all settled down following the World Cup now?
Yeah, everyone’s moved on and they all appreciate that there’s always got to be a World Cup winner and World Cups are different to the normal season – it’s taken a few years though.
Are you glad Graham Henry’s gone for the job again?
Yeah, they deserve a second chance I guess. They built up something special over four years and you can’t just do that and then chuck it away – England showed that in 2003. It’d be a shame if they [Henry and co] had to go.
Robbie Deans must be desperate for his chance though?
I just feel that if the trio do go at least they’ve got another class coach to step in. I was very happy to be involved when he was there in 2003. We’ve got a lot of class coaches in New Zealand…
Quite a few of your All Black team-mates are over here now, would you join them?
Yeah I guess it’s a bit of a test, but I haven’t thought much about it. I’m still pretty young [24] and I’ll guess I’ll try hand at a few more seasons in New Zealand and then go from there.
Is it a big blow to lose so many players overseas?
Auckland I think lost about ten players but we do have pretty good strength in depth and have got guys who can fill in. You’ve got to just move on…
What have you been up to since the World Cup?
Nothing – just kicking back and catching up with a few friends in Fiji. Thing is once you’ve done all of that for a few weeks you kind of get bored and want to get back to footie.
How great is it to be a pro rugby player?
Yeah, I guess it’s better than sugar-cane cutting in Fiji. You’ve got to enjoy all the moments because professional rugby is a pretty short career.
What would you have done if you’d not gone into rugby?
If I’d never left Fiji, I might still have been in the village looking for some coconuts and bringing them back down! But I’ve never really thought much about it because it’s God’s way and where life has led me too