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'When we're not performing on the field, it makes sense to suffer criticism' - Kaino on the Savea fall-out
Jerome Kaino believes the criticisms in France about the club form of fellow Kiwis Aaron Cruden and Julian Savea are justified.
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However, the Toulouse back row claims Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal crossed a line with his personalised attack on Savea.
Asked in the Friday print edition of Midi Olympique if the criticisms regarding Cruden’s and Savea’s form this season were justified, Kaino accepted that how a player plays should always be a topic up for discussion.
“Of course. They [the criticisms] are not too harsh from the moment they relate to the level of play. We practice a high level sport where, when we are not performing on the field, it makes sense to suffer criticism.
“We must accept it. I only think that when the family can be impacted, that’s too much. The limit is the personal aspect,” explained Savea, who jumped to Savea’s defence after his former All Black colleague was publicly savaged by his employer.
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“I did not want to interfere in this story because it does not involved me and I do not know all the details. But I just wanted to support Julian and his family, because his family was affected by the critics.”
Former Toulon winger Bryan Habana also weighed in on the debate in the same edition of the bi-weekly French rugby newspaper.
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“As a player from Toulon, you have to learn to go beyond what the president says,” he suggested, reflecting on the row that blew up surrounding the calibre of performances Savea is producing in his first season in the Top 14.
“It’s easy to be in support of the team when it wins, it should also be done when it is in trouble. These outings are not pleasant for any player,” said Habana, who won multiple trophies with the club before it went into decline.
“Nobody comes to Toulon to play badly. When they lack confidence and results, it is disappointing to see that their environment does not support them. In these events, players must remain welded, grouped. But all this interference from the outside does not help them.”
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While Savea and Toulon have a weekend off as they failed to survive their European pool campaign, Kaino is heading for Paris with Toulouse and an all-French quarter-final against Racing 92. He can’t wait for the heavyweight contest to unfold.
?? Les Stadistes sont arrivés à Paris !
Voyage ??
? J-2 avant le 1/4 de finale de @ChampionsCup face au @racing92 ! #R92ST ?? pic.twitter.com/cUTMQnB6LB— Stade Toulousain (@StadeToulousain) March 29, 2019
“All matches are important, but this one is especially important,” he said. “Since my arrival, my obsession is to take Toulouse where it should be. In the Champions Cup, it means to be in the final or semi-finals, but for that you have to pass this quarter. I have looked forward to it for weeks. I feed on these kinds of challenges.
“You only have to look at the names of the opponents, all those internationals in the camp opposite to understand. The European Cup is known in New Zealand. We usually see the finals or big games since the days of the Heineken Cup.
“All the countrymen with whom I had spoken told me that they loved this competition, that it was close to the international level. That’s why I knew, before signing at Toulouse, the wealth and success of this club on the European scene.
'This is a massive game, particularly for the integrity of French rugby in this tournament'
– @jimhamilton4 sets the scene for the all-France Champions Cup quarter-final in Paris ?? https://t.co/nUmw6tZIMY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 29, 2019
“It is also one of the main reasons for my coming. Other All Blacks before me participated in its success. I hope it will be my turn. I know this competition has a lot of value here.”
Set to turn 36 on April 6, Kaino revealed he is still unsure if the 2019/20 season will be his last playing the sport. “I’ve no idea. Never say never. The only thing I know is that my contract ends at the end of next season.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments