Rugby: Concussion blow for Kaino

Jerome Kaino. Photo / Getty

A delayed concussion for skipper Jerome Kaino which has ruled him out of the match against the Hurricanes is the latest blow for the Blues.

Kaino passed a concussion test after being forced to the blood bin in the defeat to the Lions in the first half, meaning he returned to the field for the remainder of the match. Afterwards he undertook his post-match media duties as usual.

However, coach John Kirwan yesterday said it was a case of a delayed reaction. He will hope his skipper recovers after next weekend's bye to be able to take his place against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Luke Braid will captain the team against the unbeaten Hurricanes tomorrow. He and Keven Mealamu faced the media in a show of support for their coach.

Asked if Kirwan still had the players' support after their run of four defeats, Mealamu said: "Most definitely. It's not just the coach, it's the players as well. We've got to look at this as a team thing. We're all in this together."

Braid added: "He's our coach and we've got his back for the whole season. There's no way we're backing out on that. Every year there are different factors as to why we've gone well one year and bad the other.

"We've got a few things wrong this year which we're trying to fix."

Halfback Jimmy Cowan has been bracketed with Jamison Gibson-Park due to a knee problem and prop Angus Ta'avoa has been bracketed with Sam Prattley on the reserves bench. Midfielder or wing George Moala has returned to the bench from a knee problem.

Blues team: Lolagi Visinia, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Melani Nanai, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan/Jamison Gibson-Park, Steven Luatua, Luke Braid (c), Brendon O'Connor, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao/Sam Prattley, Hayden Triggs, Akira Ioane, Jamison Gibson-Park/Bryn Hall, Simon Hickey, George Moala.