Blues star Jerome Kaino says it’s hard to find a weak link in Waratahs side

THE last time Jerome Kaino faced the Waratahs at Eden Park, he knew the visitors would crack with a blowtorch applied to the right areas.

Jerome Kaino in action for the Blues against the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium earlier thi

THE last time Jerome Kaino faced the Waratahs at Eden Park, he entered the match confident.

It was 2011 and the Blues were hosting NSW in an elimination final, and as with previous years, Kaino’s team knew the Waratahs could crack — nay, would crack — with a blowtorch applied to the right areas.

“Doing preview work we try to analyse weaknesses that they have in their game, and in past seasons, it was really obvious where the weaknesses were,” Kaino says.

Missing a handful of regular starters, the Waratahs’ weaknesses were duly exploited and Phil Waugh’s career ended with a 26-13 defeat. The Reds dispatched the Blues a week later but fast forward almost three years, and following a stint in Japan, Kaino has returned to Super Rugby.

After stepping out of his Tokyo timewary, on Friday Kaino will meet up with the Tahs again in Auckland, but sitting down this week to watch tape of NSW, the loose forward noticed something was missing. A place to point the blowtorch.

“This year I’ve got to say it has been kind of tough trying to point out the weak link in their team,” Kaino told The Daily Telegraph.

“They have improved in a lot of areas in their game. All across the park they have good players, throughout the forward pack, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, (Adam) Ashley-Cooper.

“They have strong decision makers in those important positions. This is a very challenging and dangerous side.”

Jerome Kaino in action for the Blues against the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium earlier this month.

It might not pay to hold their breath, but the Waratahs can only hope Kaino has changed as much since farewelling Kiwi rugby on a fairytale night later in 2011, also at Eden Park. Kaino was a member of the All Black side that finally cured the 20-year-old national heartache by winning the World Cup, with victory over France.

Kanio was not just any old member, either. He was subsequently named New Zealand player of the year ahead of the likes of Richie McCaw and Piri Weepu, and was dudded on the IRB player of the year award as well; beaten by vanquished French rival, Thierry Dusautoir.

Kaino, 30, cashed in and spent two lucrative seasons in Japan in 2012-13 with Toyota but last year re-signed with Auckland, citing unfinished business in Blues and All Blacks jerseys.

“Playing in Japan, I still felt like I had a lot of international and competitive rugby in me. The competition in Japan isn’t as fulfilling if you still want to play competitive rugby, so I really wanted to get back and play Super Rugby and hopefully also play internationals again,” Kaino said.

“That was the main driving factor. It’s been great being back. It was a bit of a shock to the system how physical the game was, and the intensity. But I am loving every minute.”

Jerome Kaino celebrates after the All Blacks’ World Cup final win in 2011.

Kaino’s departure opened the door for Liam Messam and Blues teammate Steven Luatua to emerge from his shadow, but even after a late entry to the 2014 season and four games, the old dog is showing signs of reclaiming his old patch.

“I don’t think I am back at where I was in 2011 yet but each week I will improve and hopefully get there soon,” Kaino said.

“My body is still feeling good, and I am still hungry to get out there and perform. The All Blacks is obviously the dream and the goal but there’s obviously a huge backlog of flankers in New Zealand at the moment, so all I can do is look at what is in my control, and try and play well.’’

A good showing against the in-form Waratahs backrow will serve him well, particularly with Luatua benched this week to accommodate the more physical No. 8 Peter Saili.

“Extremely dangerous,” Kaino said of the NSW loose forwards.

“(Wycliff) Palu, who is a big guy and is a great offloader, and (Michael) Hooper, who is also dangerous with the ball in hand and can defensively steal a lot of ball.

“Dave Dennis is always good, and then you have guys like (Will) Skelton and the South African (Jacques) Potgieter, who has been excellent. So we will have to match them physically to be a chance.”