Blues captain Jerome Kaino out for month with shoulder injury

The Blues are set to be without captain Jerome Kaino for up to four weeks as the All Blacks flanker battles a shoulder injury.

Kaino was forced off during the second half of their 25-25 draw with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane last weekend.

He left with his right shoulder in a makeshift sling after a collision with Carmichael Hunt,

The Blues have a bye this week before hosting the Jaguares in their sixth-round clash at Eden Park.

They then travel to Hamilton to play the Chiefs, return to Auckland to play the Sharks and then have another bye in the ninth round

Kaino missed the opening round of the tournament through suspension.

All Blacks hooker James Parson assumed the captaincy in his Kaino's absence.

The Blues have had a win and a draw to go with two losses from their opening month to sit bottom of the New Zealand conference.