THERE HAVE BEEN many occasions down the years when New Zealand internationals have not quite given the impression of full familiarity with their Irish opponents.
More often than not, a name other than Brian O’Driscoll or Jonathan Sexton is a prompt for them to adopt a thousand yard stare while offering up well-worn cliches that could conceivably fit anyone in green.
Sean O’Brien has made an impression on Jerome Kaino though.
The veteran blindside widened his eyes when the omission of O’Brien and O’Mahony from today’s 27-man Ireland squad was mentioned.
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“Are they not travelling,” the 33-year-old said with a quizzical look.
He had done his homework, and knew exactly how far along the comeback trail O’Brien is.
“I thought Sean O’Brien was… he’s had a few consecutive games with Leinster and he got that Leinster ‘A’ game under his belt and I thought he was looking pretty good.
“They were a huge threat for us when you look at 2013 when we just beat them,” Kaino continues. He was in Japan while that particular game was taking place, but watched the close run thing over breakfast the following morning.
Sean O’Brien was the spearhead of their physicality and their contesting at the breakdown.
“But I’m sure whoever they have there in those positions will step up, they still have their leader Jamie Heaslip there who is a major threat for them.
“How many times he touches the ball with his carries and with his breakdown. He’ll still be inspirational, being in the number eight jersey.”
Jerome Kaino at a rugby attended by 200 kids in Chicago yesterday. Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO
Kaino is a player who doesn’t end his interest in rugby when he clocks off at the end of the day or post-match. He’s always keen to watch Test matches from around the world. He also took the time to watch most of Ireland’s summer series against South Africa, so he’s well prepared for an Ireland team without O’Brien and expects an almighty physical contest from Joe Schmidt’s side either way.
“They played really well. I thought at times they were a bit unlucky not to get a few more tries, but it was a good contest.
“Just the way they matched up with South Africa, they’re a real physical team and how at times they dominated them in the physicality side of things.
“For us, watching that game quite closely and matching that physicality if not bettering that.”
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Jerome Kaino surprised 'spearhead' Sean O'Brien not involved with Ireland
Sean Farrell reports from Chicago
THERE HAVE BEEN many occasions down the years when New Zealand internationals have not quite given the impression of full familiarity with their Irish opponents.
More often than not, a name other than Brian O’Driscoll or Jonathan Sexton is a prompt for them to adopt a thousand yard stare while offering up well-worn cliches that could conceivably fit anyone in green.
Sean O’Brien has made an impression on Jerome Kaino though.
The veteran blindside widened his eyes when the omission of O’Brien and O’Mahony from today’s 27-man Ireland squad was mentioned.
“Are they not travelling,” the 33-year-old said with a quizzical look.
He had done his homework, and knew exactly how far along the comeback trail O’Brien is.
“I thought Sean O’Brien was… he’s had a few consecutive games with Leinster and he got that Leinster ‘A’ game under his belt and I thought he was looking pretty good.
“They were a huge threat for us when you look at 2013 when we just beat them,” Kaino continues. He was in Japan while that particular game was taking place, but watched the close run thing over breakfast the following morning.
“But I’m sure whoever they have there in those positions will step up, they still have their leader Jamie Heaslip there who is a major threat for them.
“How many times he touches the ball with his carries and with his breakdown. He’ll still be inspirational, being in the number eight jersey.”
Kaino is a player who doesn’t end his interest in rugby when he clocks off at the end of the day or post-match. He’s always keen to watch Test matches from around the world. He also took the time to watch most of Ireland’s summer series against South Africa, so he’s well prepared for an Ireland team without O’Brien and expects an almighty physical contest from Joe Schmidt’s side either way.
“They played really well. I thought at times they were a bit unlucky not to get a few more tries, but it was a good contest.
“Just the way they matched up with South Africa, they’re a real physical team and how at times they dominated them in the physicality side of things.
“For us, watching that game quite closely and matching that physicality if not bettering that.”
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All Blacks Ireland Jerome Kaino New Zealand notorious sob November Tests Sean O'Brien tullow tank