JEROME KAINO

DEBUT: Saturday, 4 December 2004 v Barbarians at London aged 21 years, 242 days

LAST TEST: Saturday, 8 July 2017 v British & Irish Lions at Auckland aged 34 years, 93 days

PLAYED: 83 matches, 81 tests, two games.

FUN FACT Kaino is one of only two All Blacks born in American Samoa. The other is Frank Solomon, who in 1931 became the first Samoan to play for the All Blacks.

For a player who finished his career as one of the best in the business, it is interesting to remember Kaino had two false starts as an All Black. He made his debut against the Barbarians in 2004 but wasn’t wanted in 2005, then played two more tests in 2006 before an injury struck 2007. He eventually established himself as an All Black in 2008. He was phenomenal at the 2011 World Cup and many felt he should have been named World Player of the Year ahead of French captain Thierry Dusautoir. After a stint in Japan he returned and was part of the All Blacks side that retained the World Cup in 2015. Kaino played in every match in 2011 and 2015. Renowned for his ferocious defence and strength with the ball in hand, Kaino retired this year after more than 350 first class games and helping Toulouse to the French and European titles.