Wellington – All Black and Auckland Blues star Jerome Kaino's Super 15 season is over after he was ordered to undergo surgery on an injured shoulder, officials said Monday.
The flanker said he was devastated to learn he would be sidelined for six months after examinations showed a piece of bone had been dislodged from his left shoulder in the Blues' round two loss to the Waikato Chiefs on March 2.
“I’m gutted, I really didn’t think this was going to take me out of the whole Blues season,” he said.
Blues coach Pat Lam said he was shocked to lose the 28-year-old, who played a major part in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup success last year and was among the nominees for IRB World Player of the Year.
“This is a real blow for him and I know, like us, he is really disappointed that he won’t be playing this season with the team,” Lam said.
The Blues are 11th on the Super 15 ladder after two losses and one win in the opening three rounds. – Sapa-AFP