Kaino hopeful for Eden Park start

All Blacks number eight Jerome Kaino is hopeful of making the starting XV for the first Test against England at Eden Park on Saturday.

All Blacks number eight Jerome Kaino is hopeful of making the starting XV for the first Test against England at Eden Park on Saturday.

Head Coach Graham Henry will names his team on Tuesday and Kaino has his fingers crossed he'll get the chance to run out onto the ground he calls his 'fortress'.

“I love playing at Eden Park, it's a fortress for me. In the Blues jersey I love it and in the black jersey it is a dream and if I get the opportunity this weekend it will be awesome,” he said.

Last weekend Kaino celebrated his recall to the All Blacks after a two-year absence and although not entirely satisfied with his performance, he was happy with the way he linked up with scrum-half Andrew Ellis in atrocious conditions against Ireland in Wellington.

“I would have liked to have been more involved earlier on. I was happy being in a position I hadn't played in all season. I was quite happy with the way I played in combination with Andy,” he said.

“I think we adjusted quite well to the conditions. The Irish side was really physical and took the game to us.

“With the conditions I had to adjust and try to get into the tight there and the pick and goes.

“I would have loved it if it was dry conditions to have a more open game.”

In preparation for the Test match season where loose forwards need to play tighter than in the Super 14, Ellis and Kaino put in an extra 20 minutes after each practice last week working on their combination.

“We were quite lucky that the scrum held out and we got clean ball which made our jobs a lot easier and our combination was quite tight at the weekend,” said Kaino.

“You can't complain when the scrum is going forward.”

After fighting his way back into the All Blacks frame Kaino realises the only way to keep his black jersey is to continually make an impact on the field.

“Graham [Henry] and Steve Hansen live by the motto that actions speak louder than words. I don't know how long I have got in the jersey and all I can do when I have the opportunity is just make the most of it,” he said.

Two years on from his last cap the number eight believes he is better prepared for the rigours of international rugby this time around.

“I don't think I had that self-confidence pulling on the black jersey, but this time round I am really confident I can do the black jersey justice,” he said.

England will provide a special challenge and Kaino knows that the physical battle will be key to the outcome of the game.

“They've got some big boys in there and they will be ready to rough us up,” he added.

“I think our forwards are ready for that physical battle. We've had one game under our belt and probably combinations in our team are getting a little closer and a little bit tighter so we can expect a big one on the weekend.”