Joe Rokocoko

'Expect it!' Spencer, Rokocoko recall iconic RWC try 20 years on

Carlos Spencer's through-the-legs pass to Joe Rokocoko in the quarter-finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup stunned the Springboks and delighted fans, helping the All Blacks seal a 29-9 win.

Almost 20 years on from the moment, World Rugby got the two All Blacks greats together to reflect on the try and how the piece of magic was conjured.

"Just a classic Springboks-All Blacks Test match," Rokocoko said.

"It's just so physical and quick and to add more spice to it, it's a quarter-final at a World Cup."

Rokocoko reveals Crusaders approached the wing about a move south

With exceptional top-end pace, a sidestep to rival the greats and what seemed like a permanent smile painted on his face, it was hard to find fault with the flying Fijian – and the man who eventually graced the cover of revered video game Rugby 2005.

Despite all his obvious up-sides, however, there were times when the rocket man struggled for minutes with the Blues. In those early days, including in 2003 when the Blues last won a Super Rugby title, the Auckland-based side had outrageous depth in the outside backs.

Retiring Joe Rokocoko takes to Instagram to say a fond final farewell

In the post, the 36-year-old shared photos of his entire rugby career, dating back to when he was a schoolboy and explained how rugby had taken him “from my very first club in Weymouth in 1994 through to my retirement 2019 from Racing 92 in Paris”.

The winger thanked all of those that have helped him throughout his career and said that he is “incredibly blessed to have been a part of some special teams and to have met so many special people along the way”. 

Corticosteroids may be banned

Corticosteroids, which are used in anti-inflammatory medicines to treat a range of conditions, are allowed out of competition by athletes and permitted in competition by obtaining a therapeutic use exemption.

Last year Carter, along with Racing 92 team-mates Rokocoko and Juan Imhoff, created international headlines when traces of corticosteroids showed up in drugs tests taken by the trio following last season's Top 14 final in Barcelona.

Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko - 'please explain' sought by French anti-doping agency

The trio of Racing 92 imports were cleared last October by the French Rugby Federation after traces of corticosteroids were found in tests following the Top 14 final in Barcelona last June.

But Le Monde has reported that the French anti-doping agency, The College of the AFLD, now wants a please explain from the players over the incident.

The French newspaper reported the development was "not rare".

When Le Monde approached Racing 92 about the reported development, the glamour Paris club refused to comment.