Ultimate warrior off to Toulouse
All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino heads to round out his storied career in Toulouse later this year with the blessing of a team for whom he always saved his best rugby.
New Zealand Rugby yesterday confirmed that double World Cupwinner 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. Along with Richie McCaw and Kieran Read he formed one of the finest loose forward trios in the team’s history.
‘‘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 at Eden Park tomorrow, would leave New Zealand as one of the great players, for both franchise and country.
Umaga noted the similarities between Kaino and his own longtime team-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.’’
Kaino, who made himself unavailable to speak to the media yesterday, is the third most-capped 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 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 its successful campaign.
Kaino played all but one minute of the 2011 RWC, and was a finalist for World Player of the Year.
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 firstclass games.