Rival All Blacks loosie inspires Kaino

All Blacks in France

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Fans gather as All Blacks Brad Thorn, Tony Woodcock, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and Dan Carter attend a shirt signing session at an adidas store in Marseille.

All Blacks relax in Avignon

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PRETTY PICTURE: All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino is delighted to be back in the team's starting line-up to play France in Marseille.

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Jerome Kaino had an inkling he might be required for some blue-collar duty this week, but the recalled flanker has paid tribute to an unlikely source of inspiration for his return to big-time starting rugby.

Kaino is one of three changes made to the starting All Blacks who took care of business at Twickenham last weekend, the Aucklander preferred ahead of Otago's Adam Thomson on the blindside flank.

Wellington pair Cory Jane and Neemia Tialata are both also restored to run-on spots after they were rested against England, but it's Kaino's selection ahead of Thomson that had many tongues wagging. Even Kaino's.

"Adam's been playing awesome this year and I was a little surprised to get my opportunity this week," said the 106kg defensive dynamo.

"But watching the way France played the last couple weeks, they really dominated Samoa and the Springboks physically. I had an inkling I'd get my chance."

Most of us on the media side of the fence thought that was a little harsh on Thomson who'd done little wrong. Maybe just been slightly off his A game at Twickenham off a couple of light weeks. Kaino agreed, and paid tribute to the woolly-haired, spring-healed loosie who played a major role in the All Black lineout fix.

"I just didn't have that spark that I usually had, and at training Adam did," said Kaino of their role-reversal. "He had that hunger and that edge the coaches were looking for, and that's why he edged me out for that last test in Wellington."

Kaino also watched the Otago flanker's form back in the Air NZ Cup and said to himself, "I gotta get some of that".

"He deserved his opportunity then, and he's still playing well at the moment," said the 26-year-old American Samoa-born All Black.

So in a perverse sort of way Kaino has been inspired by Thomson to win back his spot, at Thomson's expense.

"He's brought the best out in me," nods Kaino who will earn his 25th test cap on Saturday night at the Stade Velodrome.

"Every time we go out to training we're always on top of each other, always trying to improve each other.

"It's good having someone there to push you and also a bit of a reality check if you're not going to perform then someone else is going to take your spot."

Kaino is aware he's got the nod this week because he's more of a bruiser than Thomson and the French are assuredly coming with something pretty medieval.

Graham Henry called it a "close call" and said it was about "who you're playing and what the game plan is". Not much room for misinterpretation there.

Kaino says he's ready for whatever the French bring Saturday night.

"Wayne [Smith] has been filling the boys in about 2000, how it got labelled an ambush, and how a lot of the players weren't really prepared for what was in store... Smithy has been telling us just to think the worst and expect that. The crowd's going to be in-your-face and loud, and the French team will definitely be trying to dominate physically and get in our face.

"We're going to be expecting the worst - and looking forward to it."

The message from the coaches has been a pretty constant one. They know the All Blacks can't be caught short, or they'll come up short.

"They've been saying if we thought they were physical in Wellington just to think what they're going to be like at home. They'll be a different beast. We're expecting that."

And Kaino has the utmost respect for his opposite number, lethal French captain Thierry Dusautoir.

The All Black says he's up with the best No 6s around. "He's not a big man and doesn't look like he's going to dominate you physically, but when he goes into tackles he definitely hits hard, and if you give him a couple of seconds he'll steal your ball."

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw believes Dusautoir sets the tone for France's physical approach. If he's knocking down black jerseys – or in this weekend's case, white ones – behind the advantage line, the French can be very difficult to stop.

It's the sort of role that Kaino has been earmarked for. He must be the All Blacks' Dusautoir. Hit hard, and ask the questions later.

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