After playing at centre and fullback as a teenager, Jerome Kaino has developed into one of New Zealand’s most promising young loose forwards.

Player Media:

After playing at centre and fullback as a teenager, Jerome Kaino has developed into one of New Zealand’s most promising young loose forwards.

He finished the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 round-robin as the only New Zealand forward to play every minute.

Kaino played for the Junior All Blacks in 2005 and was again chosen for the side in 2007.

The Auckland and Blues blindside flanker has the athleticism to dominate in open play and the size to cover locking duties. “Lome” missed selection in the 2006 Rebel Sport Super 14 due to a shoulder injury, but recovered in time to play the last four games of the season.

He attended the same high school in Auckland, St Kentigern’s, as flying wing Joe Rokocoko.

In 2008 Kaino, who earned many comparisons with Jerry Collins for his uncompromising physical style, would become a key member of the All Blacks setup.  He would fight with Adam Thomson for the coveted starting blindside berth.

Solid form and a season uninterrupted by injury would see the powerful loose forward again called up to the side in 2010, where he will battle to displace Thomson who is currently recognised as the incumbent number six.

Career Comments:

• New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year, 2004

• Not originally in the Blues’ 2006 Rebel Sport Super 14 squad, he was called back after 2005 All Black Angus Macdonald succumbed to an ACL injury.

• Started the first two matches of the Junior All Blacks tour to Australia in 2005 before returning to play for Auckland against the British & Irish Lions.

• Scored a try in his All Blacks debut against the Barbarians (non Test cap) at Twickenham in December 2004.

• Voted IRB Under 21 Player of the Year in 2004 and was Player of the Tournament at the 2004 IRB Under 21 World Championship.

• One of only three players to play every game for Auckland in the 2004 Air New Zealand NPC.

New Zealand Representative Teams:

New Zealand Schools in 2001
New Zealand Under 19 in 2002
New Zealand Under 21 in 2003, 2004
New Zealand Sevens in 2005
Junior All Blacks in 2005
All Blacks in 2006, 2008-2010

Test match Record by Year:
(+) = substitute  (-) = replaced

(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced

2006
Jun 10 v Ireland at Hamilton 34-23 (+)
Jun 17 v Ireland at Auckland 27-17 (-)

2008
7 June v Ireland at Wellington 21-11 (-)
14 June v England at Auckland 37-20 (-)
5 July v South Africa at Wellington 19-8
12 July v South Africa at Dunedin 28-30 (-)
26 July v Australia at Sydney 19-34
2 Aug v Australia at Auckland 39-10 (-)
17 Aug v South Africa at Capetown 19-0 (-)
3 Sept v Samoa at New Plymouth 101-14
13 Sept v Australia at Brisbane 28-24
1 Nov v Australia at Hong Kong 19-14 (-)
16 Nov v Ireland at Dublin 22-3
23 Nov v Wales at Cardiff 29-9
30 Nov v England at London 32-6 (-)

2009
20 June v France at Wellington 14-10
27 June v Italy at Christchurch 27-6
18 July v Australia at Auckland 22-16
26 July v South Africa at Bloemfontain 19-28
2 Aug v South Africa at Durban 19-31 (-)
22 Aug v Australia at Sydney 19-18 (-)
12 Sept v South Africa at Hamilton 29-32 (-)
8 Nov v Wales at Cardiff 19-12
22 Nov v England at London 19-6 (+)
29 Nov v France at Marseilles 39-12


2010
12 June v Ireland at New Plymouth 66-28 (-)
26 June v Wales at Hamilton 29-10
10 July v South Africa at Auckland 32-12 (-)
17 July v South Africa at Wellington 31-17
31 July v Australia at Melbourne 49-28
7 Aug v Australia at Christchurch 20-10 (-)
22 Aug v South Africa at Johannesburg 29-22 (-)