Rugby: Liam Squire does the business

All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire on the charge during the Bledisloe Cup test. Photo / Brett Phibbs

With Jerome Kaino's immediate future with the All Blacks in doubt due to off-field issues, Liam Squire needed only a solid match to have the inside running for a start in next weekend's Bledisloe Cup return.

The Highlanders loose forward had that and more and must be considered a near certainty to start again in the No 6 jersey on his home track in Dunedin.

Squire, 26 and playing in his 10th test, brought energy and pace to the side of the scrum - he scored the first of the All Blacks' eight tries in the 54-34 win at ANZ Stadium with a sustained burst down the left touchline - and he was also powerful in the tackle before making way after 60 minutes for lock Luke Romano.

He brought exactly what the All Blacks were looking for and enjoyed the added bonus of being off the field while it unravelled for his team in the second half.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen paid credit to Squire's performance afterwards.

"He's a pretty phenomenal rugby player when he gets it right, and [last night], he got it right," Hansen said.

Which brings us to veteran Kaino, a 34-year-old not included in the match-day squad and who returned to Auckland on the day of the game due to a personal issue revealed in Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Asked if Kaino would be available for selection in Dunedin, Hansen said: "I think that's a pretty loaded question. We all know what the problem is and he's got some stuff to deal with, so once he's dealt with that, we'll make some decisions."

Pressed at the end of the press conference about Kaino's "head space", Hansen replied: "I've got no show of telling you what his head space is.

"Put yourself in his shoes, what would yours be? There's been enough written about it already, it's a personal thing that he and the family have to deal with."

For Squire, hindered by a broken thumb which ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions series, the stars are aligning. With Kaino's contract ending at the end of next year (he is still a possibility for the 2019 World Cup though), Squire is clearly the future for the All Blacks at blindside flanker and while it will probably be a case of when, rather than if, Kaino returns, the stage is set for him to continue to impress in the interim.

"I was a bit surprised by the space in front of me," Squire said afterwards regarding his run to the tryline from nearly 50m after being put away by left wing Rieko Ioane, who also impressed. "I didn't know if I was going to get there, but I was lucky enough to score a try."

Squire admitted his broken thumb during Super Rugby was a setback but that he was able to maintain his fitness and was beginning to get his momentum back.

He also developed a good combination in the wide channels alongside skipper and No 8 Kieran Read, although the luxury of being able to stay away from the breakdowns was earned by the work of the All Black tight forwards.

"As a No 6, that's a role you play for the All Blacks," Squire said. "It's pretty similar to how I play for the Highlanders as sell, so it suits me."