Rugby: Kaino's Japan deal marks end of towering trio

All Black Jerome Kaino with his daughter. Photo / Dean Purcell

It might turn out to be a premature rugby obituary, but there's an over-riding sense that Jerome Kaino's departure ends not just a good All Black career, but one of the great loose-forward combinations.

Kaino, who turns 29 next month, announced yesterday he would take a two-year contract with Japanese club Toyota. The deal is one of rugby's richest, worth more than $1 million a year.

Yesterday he revealed how he wrestled with the decision and in the end the two hardest calls he made were to his captain and coach.

It was under the tutelage of Steve Hansen, as All Blacks forwards coach, that Kaino turned from raw-boned, yet a little flaky, to a consistent blindside behemoth.

With the peerless Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, they formed a back-row combination that lacks the mystique of Nathan, Tremain, Lochore and Whetton, Jones, Shelford, but nothing else.

"Steve was disappointed. That was probably the hardest phone call that I had to make, along with ringing Richie, but he wished me the best. It was a tough phone call to make," Kaino said.

"Richie was similar. I always wanted to play with him and I still thought I'd keep playing with him for more years to come.

"But this is only for now ... hopefully, maybe in the future, we'll be able to play alongside each other again."

It's a reassuring sentiment, but one that needs to be balanced by reality. Reintegration will be difficult.

"I leave the door open for someone else to take the jersey and take the spot. I'm not saying it's going to be easy if I decide to come back, but it's all part of sport. You give someone an opportunity, it's a challenge to get back."

Time stands still for no flanker and it is hard to believe that someone who plays a power position like Kaino can melt into a vastly inferior competition and return with the same steely constitution he left with.

Still, if the 48-test veteran had nothing more to show for his career than the body of work he put together during last year's World Cup, it would leave an impressive legacy.

A career condensed into a moment? Try the World Cup semifinal against Australia. New Zealand are dominating the early stages, but lead by just 8-0. Wallaby wing Digby Ioane busts towards the line. When all appears lost Kaino arrives on the scene and not only stops him, but drags him back away from the All Black tryline. It was a remarkable show of strength.

"I've had a look and sort of thought, 'Have I done enough in the All Black jersey?' A lot of people had their opinions of what I've done, and if [I don't] put on the All Black jersey [again], then I'd say I'm pretty happy."

The black No 6 jersey is no longer Kaino's, but such was his ownership of that position, it's going to take some getting used to seeing somebody else in it.

They said it ...

"JK has been a key figure in the All Blacks for several years now and part of the backbone of the side.
"He's a top man and I have been lucky enough to see him grow and develop over his years in the black jersey."
- Steve Hansen, All Black coach

"We made a very strong bid to keep him here in New Zealand and would have loved for him to stay but, ultimately, we understand his decision."
- Steve Tew, NZRU CEO

"His tough decision to leave New Zealand rugby at his peak is an indication of his desire to look after his young family before himself and while it's a big loss ... I'm thankful for his contribution and service to our team."
- Pat Lam, Blues coach

"I want to get some experience overseas with the family for now and get some family time in and play some rugby, but in a couple of years' time, that's what I want to do. I want to come back and hopefully challenge for that jersey again."
- Jerome Kaino