Ian JONES

Ian Jones progressed to the national set up towards the end of New Zealand's post world cup period of dominance. He would go on to become one of the finest locks in the world and his country's most capped player in that position (79). With his namesake Michael (no relation) occupying one of the loose forward spots, the name Jones became synonymous with rugby excellence. Ian was as good as most in the lineout, but posed an attacking threat too, scoring an unusually high number of tries for a lock forward (9). Jones made his debut in 1990 against a touring Scottish side whose confidence was high following their Grand Slam triumph at Murrayfield. The mini series was won 2-0, but the Scots were as tenacious as ever and the triumph did not come easily.

The youngster then set his sights on the World Cup in England. The All Black forwards were competitive in that tournament and won plenty of ball and territory, but the backs were a shadow of their 1987 predecessors and New Zealand bowed out in the semis. The next big challenge of Ian's career came against the Lions in 1993. The British forwards were strong that year, particularly in the lineout, and Ian really had his work cut out coping with the awesome Martin Bayfield in the first test. The game was won by the narrowest of margins, 20-18, but Ian found himself on the bench for the next match, his spot having been taken by Mark Cooksley. He was back in the starting lineup for the deciding third test, a winner takes all clash that would make or break reputations. In the end, the All Blacks preservation instinct proved greater than the Lions desire for immortality, and the game, and with it the series, was won. (Jon Collins)

As the game advanced inexorably towards the professional era, new demands were made on players in every position. Even lock forwards were now required to be all round athletes and not just ball snatching beanpoles. Some, like John Eales and Ian Jones were natural ball players anyway and adapted better than others. Ian was also helped in that he had always been a fitness fanatic, and so was able to make the transition without any real difficulty. By the time of the 1995 World Cup, the All Blacks showed that they were already ahead of the opposition in terms of speed, stamina and athleticism, qualities that would be essential in the professional era. They were also tactically superior to any side in the world. With virtually every player in the squad operating at peak form, New Zealand blasted their way through to the final, scything through all four home nations like a knife through butter. Victory, it seemed, was a formality.

Their final opponents South Africa were good enough up front and had home advantage, but were playing a brand of rugby that was prehistoric compared to that of the All Blacks. Then disaster struck. Many of the side were struck down with food poisoning in the lead up to the game, allegedly as part of a cynical plot to ensure a home victory. Ian Jones was one of the most badly affected by the gastroenteritis, and later claimed that at the time he felt that he was going to die. Even with that enormous millstone weighing them down, the All Blacks still somehow managed to remain competitive in the match, and the game was only decided by Joel Stransky's extra time drop goal. Ironically though, it was South Africa's unadventerous approach that allowed the All Blacks to stay in it for so long. New Zealand could take scant consolation from their gutsy performance - all fifteen bowed heads knew that the trophy should have been theirs. (Jon Collins)

New Zealand recovered well from their 1995 disappointment. There was a new challenge to look forward to in the inaugural Tri-Nations tournament and the All Blacks proved that their form of the previous year was no flash in the pan. The new competition was played between the three southern hemisphere giants and given that these nations are generally the favourites it was almost a mini world cup. With veterans like Ian Jones, Zinzan Brooke, Michael Jones and Sean Fitzpatrick providing the steel and new stars like Carlos Spencer and Christian Cullen giving them even more attacking options, the Blacks demolished their two rivals to secure the trophy. That year Ian was also able to participate in one of the greatest achievements in New Zealand's history - a series win on South African soil. When the Tri Nations title was retained the following year it seemed that the world was in for yet another long period of All Black dominance.

However, 1998 proved to a disaster as the All Blacks lost five games in a row, their worst sequence of results ever. Ian was dropped in the midst of the carnage. In his autobiography, "Unlocked" Jones pointed the finger of blame at coach John Hart, claiming that the process of team preparation had become excessively orchestrated to the detriment of overall performance. The wheels came back on in time for the 1999 World Cup, when again the All Blacks again looked the form team. Ian only played in two games in that tournament, the latter against Scotland his last in a New Zealand shirt. The All Blacks fell to an inspired France in the semis could only watch in despair as their arch rivals Australia landed the trophy again. It was yet another heartbreaking disappointment for Ian who should surely have ended his career with at least one world championship medal to his name. (Jon Collins)