Au revoir: Kaino confirmed for France
All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino heads to round out his storied career in Toulouse later this year with the blessing of a team he always saved his best rugby for.
New Zealand Rugby yesterday confirmed the worst-kept secret in the sport, that double World Cup-winner Kaino was heading to France (to play at the Toulouse club alongside long-time teammate Charlie Faumuina) at the end of his Super Rugby campaign with the Blues. He would not be required for All Blacks duty, ending his international career with 81 caps, and those two global triumphs under his belt.
Kaino, now 34, had been surpassed on the national pecking order by Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita after a troubled 2017 campaign that saw him take a long break from the All Blacks to deal with personal issues.
But his body of work for the All Blacks remains untarnished by the off-key conclusion to his time in the test arena. He was a key figure in both the 2011 and ‘15 World Cup triumphs and carved an outstanding career as one of the finest to have pulled on the black No 6 jersey.
His physicality, defensive fortitude, ball-carrying and durability were immense for the All Blacks, especially throughout those twin World Cup campaigns, and along with Richie McCaw and Kieran Read he formed one of the finest loose trios the team has ever had.
‘‘Jerome will leave New Zealand rugby with our best wishes,’’ All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said. ‘‘He’s had a long and distinguished career in the All Blacks jersey and brought a physicality and skill level to his game which made him the best in the world in his position.’’
Added NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew: ‘‘He helped set the benchmark for modern loose forward play with his dominant performances over the years, highlighted by his outstanding play at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.’’
Blues coach Tana Umaga said Kaino, who makes his first appearance for them this season off the bench against the Chiefs on Friday at Eden Park, would leave New Zealand as one of the great players, for both franchise and country.
‘‘He’s our legacy player, our connection to the past in terms of teams that have done well and he has brought through a lot of things that are the lifeblood of the club.
‘‘You’ve just got to look at his CV. He’s a double world cup champion, and was lolse to being player of the year in those times, so you can say big moments he plays big. That’s the measure of the man.
‘‘In the age of our blindside flankers, or 6s, he’s carried on that aggressive, no-nonsense style of loose forward. The people going after him have got big boots to fill, like he did when he came through.’’
Umaga noted the similarities between Kaino and his own longtime tream-mate, the late Jerry Collins. ‘‘The physicality is something JC brought, and Jerome as well, and for whoever is coming up behind them, there will be an expectation they live up to that. It’s great because you know when you’ve got that kind of player on the international stage you’re going to go pretty well.’’
Blues hooker James Parsons said Kaino’s physical presence and professionalism would be dearly missed at the franchise.
‘‘He has achieved a hell of a lot internationally and was there or thereabouts in ‘03 when we last won it. I’m sure he’d like to be at the forefront of doing it again. It’s a motivator for me and I’m sure for the rest of the group.’’
Kaino, who made himself unavailable to speak to the media yesterday, is the third mostcapped Blues player in history with 127 games to date, behind Keven Mealamu (164) and Tony Woodcock (137). He also made 56 appearances for Auckland at the provincial level.
He first played for the All Blacks on the 2004 tour north, with his only appearance against the Barbarians, and made his test debut in 2006 against Ireland in Hamilton. By 2008 he was a regular starter at blindside flanker, and his career peak came at the 2011 World Cup on home soil when he was arguably the team’s best performer throughout their successful campaign.
Kaino played all but one minute of the 2011 RWC, and was a finalist for World Player of the Year on the back of that effort.
He also played all seven of the team’s 2015 World Cup matches and was again a key contributor as the All Blacks went back to back at the global tournament.
Kaino started in 68 of his 81 test appearances, the second most by any All Blacks flanker (to Richie McCaw’s 139), and scored
12 tries. He has currently played
280 first-class games.
He is the second player this week to announce his international retirement, with prop Wyatt Crockett confirming the current Super Rugby season would be his last. Crockett will finish his career in the Mitre 10 Cup, with Tasman Makos.