Jerome Kaino heads to France, calls time on New Zealand career

New Zealand back-row Jerome Kaino has decided to head to France next season effectively ending his association with the All Blacks.

Kaino made his professional rugby debut with Blues in 2004 and headed to Japan in 2012 to feature for Toyota Verblitz for two years before returning back to the Auckland outfit for a second stint in 2014.

The 34-year-old, who is among the 20 players in the game to enjoy double World Cup triumphs that came in 2011 and 2015 will leave Blues at the end of the ongoing Super Rugby season and will play in the Top 14 competition next season.

Kaino has made 81 Test appearances for New Zealand since making his debut in 2006 and has scored 12 tries in it.

“Jerome will leave New Zealand rugby with our best wishes," said head coach Steve Hansen told the All Blacks website.

“He’s had a long and distinguished career in the All Blacks jersey and brought a physicality and skill level to his game which made him the best in the world in his position. He can be rightly proud of everything he has achieved in the All Blacks, which included helping win two Rugby World Cups.

“I’d like to thank him for his service and also want to acknowledge his wife Di and the family for their outstanding support for him and the team over many years. It has certainly been appreciated and we wish them all the very best wishes for the next chapter of their lives.”