Toulon tipped to announce Kaino signing within 48 hours

All Blacks and Blues flanker Jerome Kaino is tipped to sign with French club Toulon, with Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal stating an announcement is imminent.

"Vermeulen is leaving, he will be replaced by an international level player that we will announce in the next 48 hours," Boudjellal said.

French publication Midi Olympique reported in December that Kaino was linked with Toulon as a possible replacement for South African Duane Vermeulen. Toulon's owner confirmed the Springbok was heading home after Toulon's season finishes.

"Duane is leaving because he wants to prepare for the World Cup [in Japan in 2019] - we had offered him a contract that corresponded to the amount of time he works."

The 34-year-old Kaino's contract with the NZRU runs through to the end of 2018 although the move makes sense with the stiff competition emerging in Liam Squire and Vaea Fifita for the All Blacks blindside flanker role.