Jerome Kaino tipped to make move to French rugby

All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino is being tipped to head to French rugby.

Ruck.co.uk is reporting the 81-test All Black is expected to sign with Top 14 side Toulon, which could happen as early as this week.

Toulon are seeking a replacement for Springboks number 8 Duane Vermeulen who will leave at the end of the season. Vermeulen will return to Super Rugby to prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

"Vermeulen is leaving, he will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours," Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal told French newspaper L'Equipe.

Kaino's agent, Esportif's Bruce Sharrock, confirmed to the Herald late last year that daily discussions were on-going with Toulon.

After returning from a stint in Japan in 2014, Kaino has played in the last four Super Rugby seasons with the Blues, but was yet to sign on past the 2018 campaign.

Kaino told the Herald yesterday he was simply looking forward to getting back on the pitch in a Blues jersey.

"There are a few options out there, but for me, my sole focus is to try and play well for the Blues and everything else will all into place.

"Whatever happens happens in the future."