Defence coach Clive Griffiths is feverishly watching videos of Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett scorching the turf at some of the world’s biggest stadia, knowing that Wales have suffered terribly at the hands of All Black wingers for the past quarter of a century.
Since Stu Wilson scored in the infamous “lineout” game in 1978, Wales have prevented the
So it’s no surprise when Rokocoko admits: “I do love playing
“I look forward to these big games where the pressure is on. My form has been a bit up and down lately, and I didn’t get any tries against
“Wales at home are a very strong team and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Rokocoko has played 21 Tests in only 17 months – missing only two All Black matches – but says his body is showing no signs of stress.
“I feel fine – I think your body gets used to it. It was a bit strange leaving school and playing representative rugby straight away, and then so many Tests, but I feel fine.”
Either Rokocoko or Howlett will go head to head with
“Shane had a great game against us in the World Cup and he’s obviously one to watch,” Howlett said. “I’ve certainly been watching him since that game, and I’ll be watching him like a hawk if I’m against him on Saturday.”
Rokocoko added: “He’s certainly very nippy and obviously one of their man men. I prefer to mark the big wingers who come straight at you.
“Shane is one of those nippy players who are all over the place. And he’s a lot smaller than me, so it’s difficult adjusting my defence.
“You just have to be patient and let them do what they’re going to do and then move in. If go straight up, they can make you look silly.”
Rokocoko said the All Blacks were a confident group going into the Cardiff Test.
“We’re confident in each other’s ability, and our training has been going really well, even if we didn’t put it together all the time against
“If we can reproduce against
The list of
Not content with that, he scored four tries in the First Test of Wales’ ill-fated 1988 tour, and bagged two more in the 52-3 Second Test rout.
Wingers Craig Innes (2) and Terry Wright scored in the 34-9 win in
Then came the glitch in 1997, with Cullen leading the way to a 42-7 trouncing, but Howlett and Rokocoko have since picked up the baton.
In the three Tests between the old rivals in 2002-03, the pair have scored nine tries between them, with Howlett (five) having the edge over his younger partner.
The incredible Rokocoko has 25 tries in 21 Tests, and if the 21-year-old continues to score at this rate, he’ll beat David Campese’s world record of 64 before he turns 25.
Howlett, meanwhile, has “only” 34 tries in 43 Tests – the same number as Wales captain Gareth Thomas – and needs one more to join Kirwan as
For the record, former winger and current skipper Tana Umaga has 31 tries in 63 Tests.
