Tough assignment lined up for Kaino

By WYNNE GRAY

Exciting young looseforward Jerome Kaino has been given an even tougher assignment tonight in his first NPC start for Auckland.

Usually a No 8 or blindside flanker, Kaino has been chosen at No 7 after another week of illness and injury for the defending champions.

Regular flanker Daniel Braid has not fully recovered from gastric flu and will be on the bench while skipper Xavier Rush has not trained this week because of similar problems.

He remains bracketed at No 8 with a decision left until today.

There is also a concern about halfback David Gibson who has a wrenched neck. If Gibson is ruled out, either Orene Ai'i, who is down to play for the B's in Wellington today, or Craig McGrath will be used.

Wellington also have some doubts about their goalkicking halfback Piri Weepu who has been hampered by a badly bruised thigh.

The looseforward dramas will be the greatest concern for Auckland when they face an inform local trio tonight at the Cake Tin.

Captain Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and rugged openside Ben Herring have a strong understanding and the aid of a physical tight five.

Herring is a fighter for possession on the deck, a nuggety grafter suited for the wrestling action at the breakdown while his opponent Kaino is a much rangier at 1.96m. The 21-year-old Kaino has a great deal of potential and has been a NZ Colts star.

His promise was recognised by the Blues this season and he is rated highly enough by coach Pat Lam to cover all three looseforward positions in the NPC squad.

Kaino's development is remarkable as he was used more as a centre or fullback until he was 16 before he transferred to the forwards.

Auckland have decided to use test prop Kees Meeuws in his old position at tighthead with John Afoa moving to the reserves. It would have been a close decision as the tight five were the best performers in last week's loss to North Harbour.

After that defeat, Auckland's third in the series, tonight's game has a look of the Last Chance Saloon in the race to the playoffs.

Auckland are not out of the semis but they have made it tough for themselves and have not yet played Taranaki, Canterbury or Otago.