Rugby: Kaino to lead from the back of pack

Jerome Kaino Kaino will wear the No8 jersey tomorrow when the Blues play their last pre-season match against the Highlanders before the Super 15 series. Photo / Brett Phibbs

When Jerome Kaino played for the Blues or the All Blacks last season, he wore the No6 jersey and dominated matches.

Now he is being lined up to be No8 for the Blues in their latest tilt at the Super 15 series.

The blindside flanker last year rampaged through 16 games for the Blues and 11 internationals for the All Blacks and there should have been little division among rugby watchers about Kaino's accolade as NZRU player of the year.

Coach Pat Lam explained he had been happy to accommodate All Black plans last season for Kaino and used him in the blindside role.

But this is a huge year for Lam and the Blues, who are heading into their fourth campaign with the franchise and supporters demanding better results than the ninth, seventh and fourth they have collected so far. The trend is improving, the question is whether it will continue.

Selection, player rotation, coaching, injuries, leadership, luck and a cluster of other factors will all play a part in this season's results.

Lam has a few issues to deal with such as All Black prop Tony Woodcock's late start to the series, Ma'a Nonu's return some time in the next month from Japan and who should fill the role as backline director.

Peter Saili, Chris Lowrey and Mat Luamanu all got runs in the No8 jersey last year after another choice, Brad Mika, damaged his knee and missed the season.

All but Luamanu are back with the Blues this season but in this non-World Cup year, Lam intends using Kaino whenever possible at No8.

"He is keen on No8, he is a leader and he can lead well from there and I always like a strong leader from No8," Lam said yesterday.

"If there is one thing that is guaranteed it is that Kaino will be in the team because he is such an influential leader here and a big part of the leadership group. So No8 is probably the best place for him to do that for us."

Kaino will be No8 tomorrow when the Blues play their last pre-season match against the Highlanders before a week later starting the series at Eden Park against the Crusaders.

Captain Keven Mealamu returns for his first game after an extended break since the World Cup, Luke Braid suits up again after recovering from off-season surgery while Michael Hobbs will start at five-eighths with another contender, Piri Weepu, not ready because of a foot injury which has troubled him in the past week.

It was, Lam admitted, a stage for Hobbs to platform on and if he played soundly he was a good chance to start the Super 15 series ahead of the young and promising Gareth Anscombe.

Hobbs had returned in good shape after major surgery; he had rehabbed well.

"He does need more time at 10, that would help his game but in confidence and being part of the group and being ready, then that part is right up there," Lam said.

"But everyone has to play well and get through this game," he added.

"A lot of guys are not in the best condition yet and that is why I have to weigh up what is best for the team going into the Crusaders week.

"If Weepu is 100 per cent then he becomes vital and by our calculations he is world-class, but if he is not and we have players who are fit and strong and ready to go, then it is a no-brainer."

The Blues had been penalised heavily in their opening trial game at the breakdown but they had rectified that last week against the Rebels and needed to continue that tomorrow under Keith Brown's control.

"Attacking players going off their feet or sealing off the ball is a bane to the fast game and what we want to achieve," Lam said. "If they enforce it, everyone will stick to it and if they ease up on it then that is their issue."