Jerome Kaino

Kaino signs off in style

The two-time Rugby World Cup winner has come off the bench for the last half an hour as Toulouse have beaten La Rochelle 18-8 in the final at the Stade de France.

Kaino, 38, also helped Toulouse beat the same opposition in the European Champions Cup final last month.

First-five Thomas Ramos kicked 15 of their points in the Top 14 decider l in place of the injured Romain Ntamack, while Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe struck a stunning 50-metre drop goal.

Jerome Kaino's Toulouse to face former Hurricanes wing Ben Lam in French rugby semis

Lam started on the left wing in Bordeaux-Bègles’ 25-16 quarterfinals victory over Clermont on Sunday (Monday NZ time), with Tameifuna adding his burly frame from the bench.

They will visit round-robin winners Toulouse on Sunday (Monday NZ time), having qualified for the semifinals for the first time since the club was formed in 2006 after the merger of two long-standing Bordeaux clubs.

No side from Bordeaux have won a French championship since Bègles triumphed in 1991, captained by current French Rugby Federation president and former national team coach Bernard Laporte.

Former All Black Jerome Kaino cops ban

Kaino was cited following the incident during the weekend's Heineken Champions Cup game between Bath and Toulouse.

Roberts was briefly knocked out following the 39th-minute incident - Kaino received a yellow card - and took no further part in the Recreation Ground clash that Toulouse won 22-20.

Kaino, who joined Toulouse earlier this year following an 81-cap All Blacks career, appeared before an independent disciplinary committee in Paris after being cited by match citing Commissioner Eugene Ryan. He pleaded not guilty.

Kaino says au revoir to All Blacks

The 34-year-old, a two-time World Cup winner, made his debut in 2004 and played 81 tests.

He is the third most capped Blues player in history with 127 games to date, behind fellow All Blacks Keven Mealamu (164) and Tony Woodcock (137).

One of the highlights of his All Blacks career was playing all but one minute of the All Blacks' successful 2011 World Cup campaign.

He had a two-year stint overseas playing in Japan before returning to New Zealand and playing his way back into the All Blacks.

Kaino scored 12 test tries.

Toulon tipped to sign Jerome Kaino

French media reports in December linked Kaino with Toulon as a replacement for Vermeulen, who will return to the Stormers for Super Rugby when Toulon's season ends.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) confirmed the 39-test Springbok was heading back to South Africa.

"Vermeulen is leaving, he will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours," Boudjellal said.

Jerome Kaino linked to French club

According to Midi Olympique, Kaino was in discussions with the Top 14 side during the All Blacks' recent Northern tour.

His current contract with New Zealand Rugby goes through to the end of the 2018 season.

Kaino had to return home during the French leg of the tour due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the Barbarians match.

The 34-year-old, 81-test veteran, was fighting to resurrect his international career after being bumped down the loose forwards pecking order.

Jerome Kaino to fight for ABs jersey

Kaino spoke publicly for the first time since his prolonged period away from the All Blacks dealing with personal issues in London on Wednesday in the lead up to Saturday's November tour opener against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

The veteran 81-test loose forward has not played for the All Blacks since the Lions series ended back in July, and he appeared to have been supplanted in the No 6 pecking order by Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita during the Rugby Championship.

Kaino not back in black yet

Kaino's managed return for the All Blacks, following his heavily publicised personal issues that saw him return home early ahead of the Belisloe opener, remains on track to have the veteran loose forward back in full mode for the away Rugby Championship visits to Argentina and South Africa.

Kaino issue 'not misconduct'

Sidelined All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino isn't guilty of misconduct, but he needs to sort out his private life, New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew says.

Kaino's absence from the All Blacks amidst allegations of an affair was raised as Tew fronted the news media to discuss the findings of the Respect and Responsibility report commissioned by the national body and unveiled in Auckland on Thursday.

Kaino heads home to deal with family matter

His return to New Zealand followed the publication of a story in The Daily Telegraph this morning which alleged the married All Black had a relationship with a former Australian model.

NZR said it could not comment on the Kaino allegations or further details about Aaron Smith's personal life which were published today as both were "personal matters".

But NZR said it felt for all of those affected.

Chief Executive Steve Tew said the NZR understood that the game and players were under public scrutiny and these latest stories in the media were concerning.