Kaino, who was born in American Samoa, and a group of other All Blacks posed for a photograph in Cardiff with a sign "#SamoaUnited", which was later posted on social media.

"I am a proud Samoan and it's just a bunch of the brothers showing off their support to the brothers in the Samoan team," Kaino, who will play for the All Blacks in Sunday morning's test against Wales, said today.

Dan Carter, Liam Messam, Keven Mealamu, Julian Savea, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sonny Bill Williams, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina and Augustine Pulu also threw their weight behind the Samoan team.

Kaino said he didn't ask the All Blacks management for permission before posing for the photo and didn't believe they would have an issue with it, because It was "not a big deal".

New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew said he had no issue with the players supporting the Samoans as individuals, but not All Blacks.

Kaino said: "It's important to me and I have known what they have been going through. It's just us putting our weight behind what they are doing.

"I would just like the Samoan guys to be happy with their situation, their administration and their team. If they are happy, we will be happy."

Savea reiterated the Samoans deserved to be recognised for their bold stance.

"It is just us supporting the players," the winger said.

"Everything else is up to them and the union. We are just there for the players. I was pretty keen to support the brothers - that is just how we are."

Several of the players, including Sonny Bill Williams, Keven Mealamu and Kaino supported the players on Twitter. Samoa play England in London on Sunday morning.

All Blacks loose forward Victor Vito, who had returned to New Zealand because of a calf injury, also fired off a tweet.

The Samoan players are battling with their administrators because they believe their are getting a raw deal with issues such as pay and allowances. There are also serious concerns about a lack of accountability among administrators and the players want more transparency with finances.

The Samoans threatened to boycott the match against England at Twickenham but that action appears to have been averted.

The International Rugby Players' Association and World Rugby (the IRB) have been involved in discussions as the players demand a resolution to the shoddy way they feel their union has run the national side.

"I think they [the Samoan players] have just had enough," Kaino said.