Top: Jerome and Di in Byron Bay. Bottom left: St Kents Basketball team. Bottom right: Milan keeps the World Cup safe on a unique celebratory trip to Rarotonga with Di and Jerome in 2012.
Jerome Kaino was 21 when he made his debut for Auckland, the Blues and the All Blacks in the same year. He’s considered to be the best blindside flanker in world rugby. Born in American Samoa, he was four years old when his family moved to Auckland, and he quickly shone on the rugby field.
But his swift rise to the top was bumpy – he struggled with alcohol and was convicted for drink driving. Jerome Kaino’s written a book about his career highs and lows. In it, he also looks at the effect of the pressure on young players, particularly Pacific Islanders.
