BLUES CAPTAIN JEROME Kaino may face further action after he was shown a straight red card for striking Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu in a pre-season clash.
The All Blacks flanker is hoping his excellent disciplinary record will stand to him when officials consider whether he should miss the start of the Super Rugby season, which gets under way next weekend.
On initial viewing the contact looks deliberate and to be indefensible foul play but on closer inspection it appears that Kaino may have a defence.
The blindside was being held at a maul and just before he attempted to free himself with a swinging arm, the hold on him was released and his hand then made a brutal contact with the face of the Chiefs prop, who was somehow able to continue.
“I hope not,” Kaino replied when asked if he expected to be suspended for the incident.
“It depends what it looks like. It might look worse than what I meant it to be. It’s not what I intended to do. I’m not that kind of player.”
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