Jerome Kaino

Jerome Kaino. Photo / Getty Images

When Kaino missed the All Blacks' Tri-Nations decider against Australia because his wife was expecting, it was felt as keenly as the absence of a safety net below a high-wire act.

The third piece of an established loose forward triumvirate with Kieran Read and Richie McCaw, Kaino's influence takes on even greater importance with the injury-enforced absence of the No 8 through the early part of this tournament.

It took a while, some thought too long, for Kaino to establish himself as a key part of the All Blacks after making his debut against Ireland at Hamilton in 2006.

Capable of imposing physicality one week, the off-switch would be flicked the next as Kaino ran down the channel marked "anonymity".

It took a personally delivered message from Graham Henry during the 2010 Super 14 to snap Kaino out of his comfort zone. Kaino was told that an awesome performance followed by an ordinary one did not a great All Black make. It hit the right spot.

The flanker had his best Super rugby campaign, followed by his best international season.

Primarily a defensive weapon, Kaino offers a lineout option and strong ball carrying.

Limited on the creativity front, it is difficult to imagine him as the centre three-quarter he was at St Kentigern College.

Kaino was the third of six children born in American Samoa, a land that traditionally supplies the NFL with talent. However he followed an uncle to New Zealand in 1987.

* Position: Loose forward

* Tests: 41

* Born: April 6, 1983, in Tutuila, American Samoa

* Stats: 1.96m, 110kg

* Teams: Auckland and Blues