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Rokocoko reveals plan to jump ship for Olympic glory

Joe Rokocoko at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Manuel Blondeau via Getty Images)

Former All Blacks star Joe Rokocoko has revealed former Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan tried to get the flying wing to join his team’s Rio Olympics bid that ended in gold medal triumph in 2016.

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Nadi born Rokocoko, who moved to New Zealand when he was five-years-old, told the Fiji Times that growing up he had wanted to play for the Fiji 7s having been inspired by the performances of Waisale Serevi at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament. “I would have loved the opportunity,” said Rokocoko who scored a staggering 46 tries in 68 matches for the All Blacks before moving to France and playing for Bayonne and Racing Metro.

“Ben messaged me (in 2015) because of this eligibility stuff going around where former internationals began talks of playing for their home country. He asked me if I was interested in playing for the Fiji 7s team.

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      “He invited me over for a tournament to have a fitness test and train with the 7s players, but unfortunately my club did not release me. In the end, World Rugby scrapped the idea because of the amount of players wanting to change eligibility.”

      Those eligibility laws have now been changed by World Rugby allowing players such as Wallaby star Israel Folau and former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau to play for Tonga while former All Blacks centre Setareki Tamanivalu is now in the Fiji squad.

      Rokocoko, who had played his last All Blacks test in 2010, added: “Everyone says when I grow up, I would like to be an All Black. For me, I grew up wanting to be a Fiji 7s player. I only knew about the All Blacks when I started playing age-grade rugby in New Zealand.

      “The reason why I wanted to be a Fiji 7s player was because of players such as Waisale Serevi. We would wait for the Hong Kong 7s, and in New Zealand it would come on television late at night and we did not care about school the next day.”

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      RedWarrior 2 hours ago
      The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

      So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

      Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

      Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

      1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

      2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

      3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

      4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


      One last thing missing from English analysis

      How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


      Food for thought old boy!!!!

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