Rokocoko calls time on career
Famed All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko has retired from rugby.
Fijian-born Rokocoko, who is joint second with Julian Savea and Christian Cullen on the All Blacks’ all-time try scorers tally, announced his retirement on social media.
He has finished his career with Racing 92 in Paris, where he has been for five seasons.
‘‘It has been the best ride ever,’’ Rokocoko, 36, says in an Instagram post that shows photos from throughout his rugby career going back to the Weymouth club in Manurewa when he was an 11-yearold.
‘‘As I sit here, I want to express all the gratitude and the peace I feel after reaching the end of this journey,’’ Rokocoko says in his post.
‘‘A fabulous journey that God started for me when I was just a skinny Fijian kid living in South Auckland , taking me from my very first club in Weymouth in 1994, through to my retirement in 2019 from Racing 92 in Paris.’’
After a great season for the Blues, Rokocoko burst into the All Blacks in 2003 and made a sensational impact. He scored 25 tries in his first 20 tests and eclipsed Jonah Lomu and Cullen in setting a new single-season record for test tries for the All Blacks, with 17.
He was named International Rugby Players’ Association new player of the year as a result.
He was renowned for his blistering pace and athleticism in dodging tackles.
He played 68 tests over seven years, scoring 46 tries, which places him equal second with Savea and Cullen, three behind the record holder, Doug Howlett.
In his post, Rokocoko thanked his family and friends, ‘‘most specially to my wife, Beverley, and my three boys, Cypress, Clement and Cruden, for being so patient all this time, letting me chase my dreams around the world and always believing in me even when there were times I didn’t believe in myself’’.
Rokocoko is one of 11 Fijian-born players to make the All Blacks, with the latest being Sevu Reece, who has shown Rokocoko-like try-scoring skills in making the current Rugby World Cup squad.