Jerome Kaino: No such thing as a rebuilding season

Jerome Kaino. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

If there is one point Blues' captain Jerome Kaino would like to drive into his young squad before Christmas, it is that there is no such thing as a rebuilding season.

The Blues have a new coaching team, a host of new, inexperienced players and a new format to deal with - but none of that should lessen their expectations, says Kaino.

Maybe in the past such a scenario would prompt thoughts of 2016 being a season of learning and bedding in - one where it would be okay to endure a few losses and write off a mid-table finish as an inevitable consequence of everyone getting to know each other and the competition.

"I don't think so," says Kaino.

"I don't buy this idea that you should ease into things at all. If you can take the title in the first year - take it. Grab it with both hands. That is the mentality we are going to have and it is not just the coach that sets that. Everyone has a role to play in terms of creating the culture and driving that. I am looking forward to it as the leader of the team and I am sure everyone else is, too."

What many might construe as the Blues' greatest weakness - their lack of experience - is being viewed by Kaino and coach Tana Umaga as possibly their greatest strength.

They have a group of players who haven't been burdened by the dramas of the last few years and are not inhibited by the past. There is no sense of having to right the wrongs.

Instead there is a clean slate of unbridled enthusiasm and an attitude that anything is possible.

"They don't have that baggage that a lot of us who have been with the Blues, have," says Kaino.

"They have got a fresh approach to it. They are just going to do what they do and bring what they bring with a lot enthusiasm and desire. And I am sure that is what Tana is going to drill into them as well.

"But in saying that it is a different kettle of fish to ITM Cup. But they will know that as soon as they play their first pre-season game. I don't want them to hold out at all. I want them to bring everything, express themselves both on the field and off it and help the team go in the right direction."

The veteran loose forward has had a month off since helping the All Blacks win the World Cup and is itching get back into action with his young charges.

He may have won his second World Cup winner's medal and been at Super Rugby for more than a decade, but his hunger to succeed has not diminished.

He signed a long term contract this year that wasn't so much with the All Blacks in mind. It was more about committing to play a meaningful role in guiding the Blues to a better place. Kaino was first picked for the Blues in 2005 - two years after they won their last title and in his time, he's enjoyed a paltry two semifinal appearances.

"I feel like I have had a real good break," he says.

"I haven't been mobile for about a month. I have had the odd run but just to get back into the team environment and see the guys again ... you kind of always want to be in that environment. I think a month [off] for me is long enough and by time the January comes around I'll be champing at the bit to get involved.

"I have got a huge desire to bring success and glory back to Blues rugby. We have been underachievers for the 10 or 11 years that I have been involved. I can't wait to perform and be part of a team that brings back respect and dominance to Blues rugby."