Kaino cops one week for punch
The New Zealand Rugby Union has not maid a formal announcement yet, but the Kiwi media reports Kaino will be suspended for a week for striking Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu in their pre-season match in Pukekohe last Friday.
Kaino received a red card for the incident in the 50th minute of his team's 24-12 win.
He will miss the first match of the season, against the Highlanders this Friday at Eden Park, if the ban is confirmed.
Kaino claimed he was just trying to free his arm, while being boxed in a maul, but the All Blacks flank and two-time World Cup winner connected Manu flush on the jaw.
According to the media reports the judicial hearing didn't buy into his 'accidental' claim and he will be sitting out the first round.
Kaino told Fairfax Media after the game that he struck out because he was being held by Manu, but said it was accidental and appeared worse than it was.
"My arm was trapped, I went to release it and got him flush," Kaino said.
"It's definitely not the way I play the game and how I do things."
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie described Kaino's strike on Manu as "out of character" and added: "If he had his opportunity he would probably take it back."
Under new coach Tana Umaga for the 2016 season, the Blues won all three of their warm-up matches.
Sources: NZME & Stuff
