All Black and Blues loose forward Jermoe Kaino is set to announce his departure from New Zealand, with a move to play club rugby in Japan once he recovers from his current injury lay off.
Superxv.com reports that the player will be holding a press conference during tomorrow to make this announcement, with the Toyota club seemingly his club of choice.
Kaino is currently contracted to the Blues, but will take no part in the Super Rugby season as a result of a shoulder injury which required corrective surgery.
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HUGE loss for the Blues and NZ.
@Ben (Comment 1) :
It does open the door for Adam Thompson to be first choice..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : Thompson is a very good Super rugby player but for me he hasn’t quite impressed in the black jersey. Not sure if he’s like for like replacement for Kaino but definitely an opportunity to stake a claim. Kaino has been the best blindside in world rugby over the last 2 years
@slammerboy (Comment 3) :
Unfortunate not to win Player of the year last year, in my opinion
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : Kaino or Thompson?
@Ben (Comment 5) : Kaino
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : @robdylan (Comment 6) : Yup he’s a monster!
Liam Meesam! I dig him, incredible stats last season. More a NZ 6 than AT is. AT is more of an NZ 7… Kaino big loss, but NZ can survive.
Just another case of a player trying to prolong his career as the rigours of Super Rugby slowly but surely take its toll on the top players. He certainly wont be the last player to make that move. But i must say when he is on form is one of the best in the game!