Jerome Kaino

The first was Frank Solomon in 1931.

Jerome Kaino (born 6 April 1983) is a former New Zealand rugby union player.

Kaino was born on 6 April 1983 at Lyndon B. Johnson Medical Center in Faga'alu, located in the U.S. territory of American Samoa as the third of six children.

In 1987 at the age of 4, he and his family relocated from their home village of Leone, Tutuila, to Papakura, Auckland.

After settling in Papakura, he played junior rugby league for the Papakura Sea Eagles before switching to rugby union in secondary school at Papakura High School and Saint Kentigern College where he was offered a rugby scholarship.

He attended both schools with former All Black John Afoa.

If Kaino had not come to New Zealand following the lead of his uncle, his relatives assumed that he would have enlisted in the United States Army.

In 2004, he was named IRB International Under-21 player of the year.

Kaino made his Auckland debut in 2004 and his Blues debut in 2006.

Kaino made his All Blacks debut on 4 December 2004 when he started at blindside flanker against the Barbarians in an uncapped fixture at Twickenham Stadium in London.

Kaino played the full 80 minutes and scored a try on debut, with the All Blacks winning 47-19.

Prior to being signed for the Blues, Kaino came off the bench in Auckland's 13-17 loss to the British & Irish Lions on 5 July 2005.

Despite being without a Super Rugby contract for the 2005 Super 12 season, Kaino was called into the All Blacks on 2004's end-of-season tour.

Kaino played his first two tests against Ireland in 2006.

He did not play for New Zealand again until 2008, missing the 2007 Rugby World Cup due to injury.

In 2008, Kaino, who earned many comparisons with Jerry Collins for his uncompromising physical style, would become a key member of the All Blacks setup.

Kaino's return from injury saw him become the national side's first-choice blindside flanker.

In 2011, he was named the New Zealand Rugby player of the year, finishing ahead of Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu in the voting.

He is a key member of 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winning teams, becoming one of only 20 players to have won multiple Rugby World Cups.

Having played 137 games with the Blues, he is a Super Rugby centurion.

Kaino is considered by many to be one of the game's greats.

He is the second U.S. national of Samoan descent to play for the All Blacks.

In 2011, Kaino played an important role in the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup.

He was named in the starting XV for every game.

He played every minute of every game except for the final few seconds in the semi-final against Australia.

He scored four tries in the World Cup.

In 2012 it was announced that Kaino would be leaving the Blues for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz on a two-year deal, following the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

On 4 October 2013, Kaino announced he had re-signed with New Zealand Rugby Union, North Harbour and Auckland Blues on a two-year contract.

He was expected to return to New Zealand in February in time for the beginning of the 2014 Super Rugby season.

Kaino made successful return to the Blues in the 2014 season, being named as the team's captain for the 2015 Super Rugby season, taking over from fellow back-rower Luke Braid.

Kaino returned to the All Blacks from his stint in Japan and during the 2014 three-test series against England, temporarily replaced incumbent number eight Kieran Read, who was being forced to sit out after suffering a relapse of concussion symptoms.

Kaino played his 100th match for the Blues on 28 February 2015, but the Blues unfortunately lost 24-25 to the Cheetahs that day.

Kaino's captaincy at the Blues did not last long, with hooker James Parsons taking over during the 2016 Super Rugby season.

On 8 September 2017, Kaino played for Auckland for the first time since 2010.

Kaino started at number 8 as Auckland lost 38-49 to Taranaki.

On 17 February 2018, rumours were released that Kaino would potentially move to France at the conclusion of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

A week later, Kaino confirmed he would leave New Zealand.

Stade Toulousain, based in Toulouse, France subsequently announced that Kaino would join their team, containing Kaino's former All Blacks and Blues teammate Charlie Faumuina.

He won Top 14 in 2019 and 2021, as European Rugby Champions Cup in 2021 being one of the cornerstones of the French team.

In June 2021, Kaino retired and stayed in France, becoming Toulouse skills coach and academy assistant coach.