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'He's a brick of a man' - The toughest Lions player Jerome Kaino ever faced

(Photo by Steve Bardens/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Having played over 80 Test for New Zealand, All Blacks enforcer Jerome Kaino has faced the best the sport has to offer.

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The 38-year-old, who yesterday had the pleasure of lifting the Heineken Champions Cup in Twickenham, is among a select group of players to have faced two separate British and Irish Lions tours as a player.

A young Kaino faced the Lions way back in 2005 for the Auckland Blues. “I remember playing against the Lions for Auckland and coming off the bench. It was like playing for the All Blacks.

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Episode 30 – Jerome Kaino and Jamie Roberts, European Champions Cup Final Preview and All Blacks v Lions Memories

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Episode 30 – Jerome Kaino and Jamie Roberts, European Champions Cup Final Preview and All Blacks v Lions Memories

“We in an Auckland hotel and the ‘Barmy Army’ were singing outside. The good thing about it was when we came out, everyone was cheering us as we walked out to the bus.

“I’ve still got Martin Corry’s jersey from that game. That was quite special me. I made it a goal to make the All Blacks for that series but I wasn’t good enough but to be able to experience that and play against the Lions, that was awesome.

Twelve years later in 2017, the big back row would play a pivotal role in the drawn Test series. One of the more brutal moments was when Kaino injured Irish flanker Sean O’Brien with a massive cleanout that ended O’Brien’s game at halftime.

“I think Seanie was just in an awkward position. I just got him in a sweet spot.

“I felt bad for him after the game and went and saw him. He was in a sling. He’s a good lad, I felt bad for him.”

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While his battle with O’Brien was one to savour for fans, Kaino choice as the ‘toughest Lions player he ever faced’ is a frontrower.

‘”Maro was pretty tough,” said Kaino. “But I’d have to say someone that kept on coming was Mako Vunipola. He has no hand brake, he just keeps on going and going.

“Loves to get the ball in his hand. To try to stand in front of him and get a shot on him is impossible. He’s so solid. He’s a brick of a man.

“He’d be up there as the toughest in the Tests that I played.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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