Rugby: Kaino to end career at home

Jerome Kaino and Steve Tew at the announcement of the All Black's re-signing. Photo / Getty

Jerome Kaino's new three-year deal with the Blues and New Zealand Rugby gives him the chance to play against the Lions in 2017 and to end his career here.

Kaino spent two years in Japan after the All Blacks' World Cup victory, a tournament in which he was one of the leading lights. He played almost every minute and could be considered unlucky not to have won the IRB Player of the Year award in 2011. France captain Thierry Dusautoir took it instead.

There were fears Kaino wouldn't be the same after his time away in a lesser competition. Instead, it helped him rehabilitate a creaking body and recover from a second shoulder reconstruction and he returned last year to pick up where he left off for the Blues and All Blacks.

His desire to play overseas has waned now that his family, including two young children, have settled back on Auckland's North Shore. Instead, the financial security he wants has been ensured by a relatively long contract extension - he is the first All Black to commit until the end of 2018.

Kaino has achieved most things in the game, but the one thing he hasn't done is play against the Lions for the All Blacks. In 2005, when they were last in New Zealand, Kaino wasn't selected. He had made his All Black debut the year before, but men such as Sione Lauaki and Jerry Collins were ahead of him.

Kaino instead had to settle for playing for Auckland in a tour game against the Lions at Eden Park.

"Personally it was very disappointing not being part of it in 2005," he said. "That was one goal I wanted to achieve. The possibility of being part of it in 2017 played a part in my decision. Also there are a lot of things I want to achieve here at the Blues as well and with the All Blacks.

"There were a few offers [from overseas] but I always wanted to stay at home, that was the thinking behind coming back from Japan. I left for Japan still with a burning desire to play for the All Blacks and play Super Rugby. After having a good season last year that fire has grown.

"The length of the term was what I was looking for. I wanted to be at home for probably the remainder of my career. That was the main one."

It is a deal where everyone appears to be a winner - Kaino for the length of his deal at the age of 31, and New Zealand Rugby for having a high-profile player happy to commit himself for a long time.

There is a sabbatical clause in the contract, and NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew, who was present at yesterday's announcement in Auckland, said his organisation was prepared to be flexible.

"We've approached each of these contacts with some flexibility, particularly the guys who have been with us for some time," he said.

"We'll work with him as the seasons unfold."

Current All Blacks signed until end of 2017:
Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Steven Luatua, Malakai Fekitoa.

Current All Blacks signed until end of 2016:
Sonny Bill Williams, Dane Coles, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Luke Romano, TJ Perenara, Dominic Bird, Patrick Tuipulotu.