New Zealand's Michael Jones seen here at Twickenham in 1991 playing for The All Blacks
against England in The World Cup.
(Part 1) 1987 - 1991.
| Michael Jones was one of those once in a lifetime rugby legends who changed the way the game was played. As the All Blacks dominated the inaugural World Cup in 1987 it was Jones more than anyone who caught the rugby worlds attention. Here was the complete player. He had more pace than many wingers, the ball skills of an inside back and yet could anticipate the breakdown, make tackles and maul more effectively than any other flanker on display. He marked his debut by scoring the first try by an individual in the World Cup, and his peerless displays culminated in a performance in the final in which he again scored, and tormented France in both attack and defence. His impact was such that he became an automatic selection for New Zealand despite his unavailability for Sunday Test matches due to his religious convictions. In 1988 Jones continued his sublime form against Wales and Australia but in 1989, after dominating France and Argentina, Jones encountered his greatest challenge when he endured a knee injury so horrific it was feared amputation maybe necessary. Quite remarkably he was to regain the fitness needed to again grace the black number 7 when he toured France in 1990. In the 1991 World Cup he again scored the tournaments first try. He was a shining light in a mediocre All Black pack, and his absence was a crucial factor in the Sunday semi-final loss to Australia. As the fall-out from the failed defence began Jones was one of the few whose reputation was undented. He had again led the world in the arts of the 7 jersey. (Paul Scott) |
Michael Jones piture in 1995 playing for TheAll Blacks against France in Paris.
Photo George Herringshaw. ©
(Part 2) 1992-1998.
| The second half of Michael Jones career offered some stellar highlights such as his awesome displays against South Africa in 1992 and against the Lions and Australia in 1993. Unfortunately it also saw the continuation of a horror run of injuries that removed him from the UK tour in 1993 and then tests against South Africa in 1994. In the final test of that series Jones re-emerged as a replacement with a timely reminder - that what he offered others simply could not. He continued this excellence against Australia but in 1995 he was, for the first time, to miss an All Black Rugby World Cup squad due to the amount of Sunday games. Despite Josh Kronfeld's emergence Jones was quickly reinstated into the squad for the following Bledisloe Cup series and then for the tour to France. It was there that Jones began the switch to blindside flanker that would pay huge dividends for New Zealand. Jones' transition from flyer to huge hitting defender was remarkable. Teaming alongside Kronfeld and Zinzan Brooke he formed a trio that provided the perfect link and helped ensure New Zealands first ever series victory in South Africa in 1996. Sadly Jones final years in 1997 and '98 were blighted by injury, including another major knee operation. His final test against Australia was typically robust and totally committed but his body was suffering. His great mentor John Hart, who introduced Jones to the rugby world over a decade earlier, paid him the ultimate accolade as he released him from the squad labelling Jones "the greatest rugby player he had seen". This view echoed that of thousands of fans world wide. He was voted New Zealand's third greatest player ever, behind Colin Meads and Sean Fitzpatrick, in a millennium poll and Rugby World magazine also named him the greatest openside flanker of all time. He remains a figure hugely respected across all strata of New Zealand society. (Paul Scott) |