Jerome Kaino is planning on taking new All Black recruit Rieko Ioane under his wing.
Kaino's played alongside the 19-year-old with the Blues and knows what it takes to make it at the next level.
"He's just like any other young player coming through, an exciting, raw talent," said Kaino.
"For us in this environment it's about getting those younger players up to speed and how we do things here."
The blindside flanker's first All Blacks experience was on an end of year tour where he did his best to learn off senior members in the squad like Anton Oliver and Tana Umaga.
Jerome Kaino playing against Ireland in 2006 (Photosport)
Now the tables have turned for the 33-year-old who has won 70 caps since his debut in 2006.
While Kaino believes the new All Blacks recruits are more prepared for the international step up, he know just how important it is for the team veterans to pass on their knowledge.
"I think they would be a step ahead of where I was at, it's a different game now with a lot of things outside rugby influencing what you need to do and how you need to be.
"A lot of things we do in the All Blacks haven't changed much with standards and the values.
"As leaders it's up to us to try and get those younger players up to speed with how we want to do things."
Click the video above for the interview with Jerome Kaino.
Newshub.
