Joe Rokocoko returns for the All Blacks but critics waiting to pounce

JOE ROKOCOKO was pleased to be recalled for New Zealand's Tri-Nations clash against Australia after recovering from a hamstring injury, but felt a bit sheepish after shunting in-form players out of the starting XV.

The 27-year-old watched on the sidelines as his understudies Rene Ranger and Israel Dagg scored a try each during the All Blacks' 31-17 win over South Africa in Wellington earlier this month.

Their reward? Dagg remains on the bench for the Wallabies match in Melbourne on Saturday, while Ranger was not even given a seat on the plane. Too polite to be anything but congratulatory for his team mates, Rokocoko joked that his reinstatement was unlikely to draw unanimous cheers.

"I'm just used to it. I'm the man most wanted at the moment in New Zealand, they'll take my head off," he said.

"It's not only Dagg, there's another 1000 wingers in New Zealand. This is just the first tier of guys that are coming up in their careers."

Rokocoko will line up for his 64th test at Docklands stadium to surpass greats John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu as the All Blacks' most capped specialist winger.

Despite the milestone, and his solid form for the Auckland Blues during the Super 14 season, Rokocoko's status as starting winger remains divisive in New Zealand, where players capable of playing out wide seem to grow on trees, a fact coach Graham Henry felt little need to sugar-coat.

"Obviously he's under pressure. There's other guys playing well in that position," Henry said. "We've gone for the guy who's been there and done it and done it well in the past."

New Zealand media have speculated Rokocoko, whose national rugby contract expires before the end of year, might head overseas to take a big-money offer after reports linked him with French club Toulon.

"If I know I can't do the black jersey justice and play to my best, then it's a better option for me to leave and carry on," he said.

"Obviously, the World Cup is going to be a major goal."

Australia coach Robbie Deans has switched Matt Giteau to the fly half position and recalled utility Berrick Barnes as cover for the suspended Quade Cooper, who is appealing a two-week suspension after being cited for lifting Morne Steyn in a tackle during the Wallabies' 30-13 win over South Africa in Brisbane last week. The hearing is scheduled for today.

"We've prepared on the basis that Quade won't be available to us, so we won't contemplate anything other than that until such time it becomes a reality," said New Zealander Deans.

Australia: Adam Ashley Cooper; James O'Connor, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Salesi Ma'afu, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom (captain), David Pocock, Richard Brown. Substitutes: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko; Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read. Substitutes: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg.