Jerome Kaino targets Samoa test return

Missing the Blues victory against the Lions may have hurt Jerome Kaino's heart but not playing did his knee a power of good.

The veteran loose forward, who was named in the All Blacks squad despite his lack of recent game time due to knee surgery, has declared himself fit to play against Samoa next Friday if selected.

He will be a critical addition to a back row that will be missing injured All Blacks captain Kieran Read, who will visit a specialist tomorrow to assess his fractured thumb, which he hopes will reaffirm that he's on track to play in the first test against the Lions.

Kaino has been involved in several contact sessions in the past fortnight and can run at full speed without discomfort. He'd have loved to have played for the Blues in their sensational win over the Lions but the medics said the risk was too great and a more realistic return date is June 16.

"It has been a long six weeks but I feel like I am ready now," said Kaino. "I would have loved to have been available to play [on Wednesday] but it was too much of a risk. I don't think that was ever in consideration. Match fitness ... I have got to get on the field to see how that goes.