All Blacks lack confidence in Rokokoku

Selected 68 times for the All Blacks, Joe Rokocoko remains a vigilant watcher of New Zealand’s selection. And while the latter lost their Test Match series against Ireland, the former international winger admitted in an interview with Medi Olympic magazine that “New Zealand was without a solution in the face of Irish pressure”. When diagnosing the cause of the four defeats streak in the last five games, Joe Rocococo asserts that the All Blacks are “seriously lacking in confidence” and adds that “the offensive game is not diverse enough and in the face of these increasingly organized defences.” While the New Zealand Rugby Union announced a review of the selection crew, Joe Schmidt joined forces with Ian Foster.

🗞 Update | Jason Ryan joins the All Blacks coaching team ahead of the Lipovita-D Rugby Championships.

John Plumtree and Brad Moore have left the All Blacks coaching team. Thank you, John and Brad, for your tremendous contribution to the All Blacks team. pic.twitter.com/3CkWWaeT9n

AllBlacks 24 July 2022

Rokocoko can’t choose between Mo’unga and Barrett

Presented as a “brilliant technician” and “rugby world” by the person who had him under his orders at the Auckland Blues, the former Irish coach could be an important support for the All Blacks’ chief. Recalling an anecdote about Joe Schmidt, Joe Rocococo said he was an “incredibly intelligent person but required real technical mastery from his players”. But one problem with choosing New Zealand is the uncertainty about the location of the half-fly between Richie Muonga and Boden Barrett. Joe Rocococo admits it “would be a bad choice,” and struggles to take sides with one or the other. “I can’t tell you which is better of the two because they are both exceptional players,” he said. On the other hand, it is necessary to set one over time. When I talk about duration, I mean the next six months: because the playmaker needs benchmarks with his first position or his junior half. A message that Ian Foster could well receive.