The plight of an All Blacks blindside is such that if you don't make the starting team, commanding a spot on the bench is difficult. Openside, a high attrition position, dictates cover is needed. So, too, a third lock.
Kaino started in the unfamiliar locking role in the loss against Ireland in Chicago last year. The All Blacks learned then it is better to have specialist second-row cover, particularly against a confrontational team such as the Boks. And so Patrick Tuipulotu has been preferred for that role, with Scott Barrett proving in the 57-0 victory over the Boks in Albany he is comfortable at No 6 if required.
Squire is now the incumbent blindside, and Vaea Fifita, while not nearly as impressive last week, continues to knock on the door.
Kaino's absence again this week means he has now sat out the past six tests but Hansen hinted his chance will come in either the final Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane, or the end of year tour.
"He'll get an opportunity he just has to wait," Hansen said. "Liam Squire has played outstanding. We left him at home to give him a rest and freshen him up for this game so it would be pointless just to chuck JK in. There's a test match in a couple of weeks and quite a few game in the northern tour so JK will get opportunities in those games at some point."
Interestingly, the All Blacks have left Lienert-Brown out altogether which means either left wing Rieko Ioane or fullback David Havili will cover the midfield. Havili made quite the impression on debut in his 10 minute stint against the Pumas last week, scoring the final try and making one telling break. He now gets a chance to back that up.
