Guest speaker

Ian Jones

Long and lanky, Ian Jones overcame constant carping, especially in his early years, about his perceived lack of bulk to become one of New Zealand rugby's greatest ever locks. Ian was a product of Northland and was forever known by the nickname, "Kamo" after the Whangarei suburb in which he grew up.

He failed to win early recognition and was overlooked for New Zealand Colts honours. His potential only came to light when he made the North Auckland team, as it was then, in 1988 as a 21-year old stripling.

In his first season Ian excelled in an otherwise badly beaten North Auckland side in its Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland, securing a surprising amount of lineout ball. He confirmed that promise with another fine lineout performance for The Rest which stretched the shadow test XV in a trial early in 1989.

That earmarked him as a top prospect and accordingly he was taken on that year's end of season tour to Wales and Ireland, mainly for development purposes. Though Gary Whetton and Murray Pierce were the established test locks Ian had an excellent tour and when Murray Pierce retired there was no concern about introducing him for his first cap, at Dunedin's Carisbrook against Scotland in 1990. Ian marked the occasion with a try on debut.

From 1990 through to 1997, other than the odd glitch, Ian was an automatic selection and he was one who emerged from the 1991 World Cup disappointment with his reputation intact.

In the Super rugby Ian made 38 appearances, often as captain, for the Chiefs between 1996 and 1999.

When he left the New Zealand game in 1999 to finish out his playing days with a lucrative English contract with Gloucester he had 79 tests to his credit, second only to Sean Fitzpatrick's 92.

Ian returned to New Zealand in 2002 after his stint in English rugby and into the limelight as a perceptive comments man for Sky Television.

Look forward to a down to earth and entertaining address about Ian's life on and off the rugby field and in front of the camera.