Rugby: Key Blues player Jerome Kaino

Jerome Kaino has stepped up as a ruthless defender for the Blues. Photo / Getty Images)

Remember Jerry Collins? He used to deliver ruthless defence, thunderous hits which stunned the opposition and made them think twice about venturing down his tackling alley.

The new man in the All Black No6 jersey, Jerome Kaino, does the same and more. He has become the enforcer for the Blues, the litmus test for their "thou shalt not pass" commandment.

He is one of the power forwards with the ball, delivering enough crunch to puncture tackles or using his pace and step to catch out ragged defensive lines. Add to that his lineout class and authority and it is easy to see why Kaino is such a key member in a pedigree pack.

The 27-year-old has been around the side since 2004, but his initial progress was interrupted by injury and confidence issues. In the past few seasons the American Samoan-born looseforward has been a dominant figure in the No 6 jersey.

That form has carried into the international arena too where his combination with Richie McCaw and Kieran Read has dovetailed superbly.

This season, Kaino will get a great boost from Daniel Braid as a looseforward lieutenant, a partnership which should give the Blues a good kickstart in their quest for the playoffs.