Kaino rejects allegations

All Black Jerome Kaino on Tuesday rejected allegations he maliciously targeted British and Irish Lions scrum-half Conor Murray and predicted a backlash from the tourists after their first Test loss.

Lions coach Warren Gatland said after the 30-15 defeat that players were recklessly diving at Murray in a dangerous manner that could cause a career-ending injury. The comments, dismissed as “desperate” by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, put Kaino under the spotlight as he crashed into Murray early in the game while the Irishman was kicking.