Kaino back but not likely to play

LOOSE forward Jerome Kaino returned to training with the All Blacks yesterday but was unlikely to be selected for their Rugby Championship match against South Africa on Saturday.

The two-time World Cup winner, who had not been selected in the matchday squad, left the team on the day of the first Rugby Championship match against Australia in Sydney last month to deal with a personal issue.

Liam Squire played the first two games of the Rugby Championship against Australia, while Vaea Fifita made his first start against Argentina last Saturday in New Plymouth.

Kaino has played one provincial match for Auckland since he left the team.

“He came in yesterday. We’ve had ongoing conversations with him and it’s a matter of bringing him back in,” All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said.

But the 34-year-old could now face a battle to reclaim his test spot.