Ian Jones (rugby union, born 1967)

Ian Donald Jones MNZM (born 17 April 1967) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played 79 tests for the All Blacks. He is the 2nd-most capped lock, and formed one of the most famous lock pairings in international rugby, often partnered with Robin Brooke in the All Blacks from 1992 to 1998. What Jones lacked in size he more than made up for in skill, Jones was picked over physically intimidating locks such as Mark Cooksley who was the tallest All Black ever. Jones made his All Black debut Saturday, 16 June 1990 v Scotland at Dunedin. At the time he was 23 years, 60 days old.

Ian Jones
Jones in 2016
Birth nameIan Donald Jones
Date of birth (1967-04-17) 17 April 1967
Place of birthWhangārei, New Zealand
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight104 kg (16 st 5 lb)
SchoolKamo High School
SpouseJanine Graham-Jones
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999-2001
2001-2002
Gloucester Rugby
London Wasps
()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1988-1993
1993-1999
Northland
North Harbour
66
53
()
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996-99 Chiefs 38 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990-1999 New Zealand 79 (42)

Jones had an impressive start with a try on debut. Coincidentally six years later Jones played his 50th test, again at Carisbrook and again with Scotland the opponent. He scored at virtually the same exact spot in the stadium as he did six years before. Throughout his impressive career Jones was renowned for his ability in line-outs.

In the Super 12 Jones made 38 appearances, often as captain, for the Chiefs between 1996 and 1999. He once scored three tries in a match, against the Waratahs in 1996. In 1998 he was handed a lengthy suspension after a stomping incident involving the Hurricanes' Jason O'Halloran.

Jones started his career with Northland in 1988 as a string bean 20-year-old lock who was tipped for big things back then. He picked up the nickname "Kamo" after his home town just north of Whangārei in New Zealand's Northland region.

In total Jones played 105 matches for the All Blacks including 79 tests. Jones was named captain for one match. Jones scored a total of 14 tries in All Blacks matches with nine of those in test matches.

Retirement

Jones now works as a television rugby commentator for Sky Sports and presented their now defunct programme 'RugbyThentre'.

In the 2010 New Year Honours, Jones was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.[1]

References

  1. "New Year honours list 2010". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
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