Kaino didn't expect recall

Jerome Kaino thought his All Black days were over after he headed to Japan.

Speaking about his recall to New Zealand's national team, ahead of the first Test against England in Auckland on Saturday, game admitted he did not expect to make it back into the All Black squad.

However, after two seasons in Japan, he has succeeded at the first attempt.

Kaino, who has played most of his All Blacks career as a blindside flank, has been included at No.8 for the first international at Eden Park.

"There was a lot of depth at flank and my chances of making the team were pretty slim and I knew I had my work cut out," he told NZ Newswire.

"To get my name announced in the squad is quite special."

The 31-year-old Kaino, who has 48 caps to his name, has been in explosive form for the Blues and said his confidence had grown with the amount of game time he had been given.

"But international rugby is a different beast to Super Rugby," he said.

"I can take a bit of that confidence into Saturday, but the main focus for me is just to prepare well and put out a good performance."

Kaino made his All Blacks debut in December 2004, scoring a try in a 47-19 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham.

He got his first Test cap 18 months later, coming off the bench against Ireland in Hamilton.

His last Test was at Eden Park in the All Blacks' victory over France in the Final of the 2011 World Cup, a tournament in which he played almost every second.

After being selected in the 31-man All Blacks' squad last weekend, Kaino was seen as being in a battle with Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam for the No.6 jersey.

With Kieran Read ruled out earlier in the week after ongoing concussion symptoms, he will start at the back of the scrum and he's comfortable with the role.

"I haven't played too much there at All Black level, but I'm confident with the group that we have to get the job done."

Source: NZ Newswire