Kaino linked with Toulon
Toulon are reportedly in talks with Jerome Kaino with the All Blacks flanker possibly linking up with the glamour French club following the conclusion of the Blues’ next Super Rugby season. French publication Midi
Olympique report that Kaino is being lined up to replace South African Duane Vermeulen, whose contract expires in June and is said to be returning to the Stormers in
Super Rugby.
The 81-test veteran’s contract with New Zealand Rugby runs through to the end of 2018.
Kaino has lost his starting place in the All Blacks No 6 jersey after withdrawing from the squad in August for personal reasons ahead of this year’s opening Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney.
Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita have moved up in the pecking order ahead of Kaino, who did start all three tests in the drawn series against the British and Irish Lions earlier this year.
Kaino this season played for Auckland for the first time since 2010 during their Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
The two-time World Cup winner was forced to head home from the All Blacks’ recent tour of Europe because of a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered playing against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Toulon’s squad already includes former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Alby Mathewson.