All Blacks great Jerome Kaino could be heading to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in a coaching role with a nation other than New Zealand.
According to Midi Olympique, the Toulouse coach is close to joining Georgia’s coaching staff, adding international duties to his existing position with the French giants.
An agreement between Toulouse and the Georgian Rugby Union has reportedly been finalised following several weeks of discussions.
Kaino is expected to join the Lelos for their November fixtures, with the possibility of remaining involved through to the 2027 World Cup already under consideration.
The former New Zealand international will reportedly focus on contact tactics and attacking rucks, bringing his experience at the highest level to Georgia’s forward play.
They face Canada, Tonga and the USA in this autumn's Nations Cup campaign.
He will work alongside new head coach Pierre-Henry Broncan, who took charge during the summer after Marco Bortolami’s interim spell, which followed Richard Cockerill’s departure.
The pair are already familiar with each other, having worked together at Toulouse in 2018, when Kaino was still playing and Broncan was the club's defence coach.
Georgia will face a significant challenge at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, having been drawn alongside South Africa, Italy and Romania in the pool stage.
Currently ranked 13th in the world, the Lelos will be targeting a place in the round of 16, with Kaino potentially playing an important role in their preparations.
Kaino established himself as one of the outstanding back-row forwards of his generation during a decorated career with New Zealand.
Born in American Samoa, he moved to Auckland at the age of four and switched from rugby league to union during his school years.
He made his Auckland debut in 2004 before earning his first All Blacks cap later that year, scoring a try against the Barbarians.
By 2008, Kaino had become New Zealand’s first-choice blindside flanker.
He played a major role in their 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph, scoring four tries during the tournament, before helping them retain the Webb Ellis Cup in 2015.
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Following spells with Toyota Verblitz in Japan and the Blues, where he made 137 appearances, Kaino joined Toulouse in 2018.
He enjoyed further success in France, winning two Top 14 titles and the European Rugby Champions Cup before retiring as a player in 2021.
Kaino subsequently joined Toulouse’s coaching staff and remains with the club, with a potential international role in Georgia now offering him the chance to return to the Rugby World Cup stage in a different capacity.
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