Danny Coyle - New Zealand talent is scary

Keen observers of the rugby world might have noted the strange irony that straddled the hemispheres this week.

Down south, Joe Rokocoko was picked to start this weekend against New Zealand. He will become his country's most capped wide man of all time when he runs out in Melbourne to face Australia.

At the age of 27, it will be his 64th cap. Some achievement when you consider the luminaries who've graced the black shirts bearing the numbers 11 and 14 over the decades. Rokocoko will surpass Jonah Lomu and John Kirwan on Saturday, to name two of the greatest.

Meanwhile, up here, Jason Robinson announced he was dusting off his boots to play for National League 2 North outfit Fylde at 36 years old.

The curious twist in this is that England fans would sell their grandmothers for Robinson to be Rokocoko's age and still turning out in the red rose, while in New Zealand, a player who could quite conceivably still have his best years in front of him and has scored 45 tries in 63 appearances for the All Blacks, is on the verge of being chased out of the country.

The young guns like Israel Dagg and Hosea Gear are snapping at his turbo charged heels, and he described himself in the New Zealand press this week as "the man most wanted in New Zealand at the moment," referring to public grumbles that he is past his prime.

"But if I know I can't do the black jersey justice, it's a better option for me to leave than carry on," he added glumly.

It speaks volumes for the embarrassment of riches at Graham Henry's disposal in the back three positions in particular, that a player of Rokocoko's standing is still very much on trial.

It speaks louder still, of the contrast with England, whose coaches would yank Henry's arm off if he offered them Rokocoko on a plate.

In New Zealand, the production line is churning out talent so quickly that established names like Smokin' Joe are already considering life as ex-All Blacks. In England, the system isn't producing that quality of player at anything like the same rate, despite their greater numbers and superior riches.

At least this season we can watch the most talented player England has had for the last ten years gracing the field once more. That he was taken from another sport, and that we may never see his like again, is quite a troubling thought.

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Date published : 28 Jul 2010 - 09:43:21