After playing at centre and full-back as a teenager, Kaino has developed into one of New Zealand's most promising loose forwards.

The American Samoa-born flanker has the athleticism to dominate at the breakdown and the size to cover locking duties.

Strong aspects of his game are his athleticism and his skill at the breakdown, whilst his height offers a good target at the back of the line-out.

The IRB Under-21 Player of the Year in 2004 was one of only three players to play every game for Auckland in the 2004 NPC.

His only All Blacks game prior to the Lions' arrival was the uncapped appearance at the Barbarians at Twickenham and he was duly named man-of-the-match.