Michael Jones (rugby union)

Sir Michael Niko Jones KNZM (born 8 April 1965) is a New Zealand former rugby union player and coach.He played for the local Waitemata Rugby Club and it wasn't long before the Auckland representative team (coached by John Hart) took notice.[7] Although he was selected for the 1987 and 1991 All Black World Cup squads, he missed three Sunday games in the 1991 tournament due to his religious beliefs.However, after talks with the Manu Samoa Union over whether his role should become full-time until the World Cup, Jones joined the team on tour.Due to demands of the food bank, he declined invitations to be enlisted for Match Fit series in 2020 and 2021/22, but made an appearance in 2020.[22] He was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to the Pacific community and youth.[23] New Zealand sculptor Natalie Stamilla created a bronze statue of Jones, depicting his try at the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
Statue of Michael Jones' try at the 1987 Rugby World Cup , at Eden Park in Auckland
AucklandHenderson High SchoolUniversity of AucklandKJ ApaFlankerNumber eightAuckland BluesWestern SamoaNew Zealandrugby unionRugby WorldAll BlackColin MeadsSean FitzpatrickJohn HartWaitemata Rugby ClubNational Provincial ChampionshipSouth CanterburyRanfurly ShieldSuper 12Zinzan BrookeSamoan New ZealandersJohn Boe2003 World Cupfood bankAvondale, AucklandBachelor of ArtsMaster of ArtsBachelor of Planning1987 Rugby World CupEden ParkNew Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal1997 New Year HonoursMember of the New Zealand Order of MeritKnight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit2017 Queen's Birthday Honours‘aigaNational Provincial ChampionshipsRugby World CupTri-NationsMacdonald, FinlayDe Lore, ClareAll BlacksNiko PalamoNew Zealand squadAndersonBoticaBrookeBrooke-CowdenFitzpatrickMcDowallPierceShelfordA. WhettonG. WhettonCrowleyGallagherKirwanMcCahillStanleyTaylorWrightLochore1991 Rugby World CupCarterHendersonI. JonesPurvisBachopHewettLittlePrestonPhilpottTuigamalaWyllieSamoa squad2007 Rugby World CupJohnstonLafaiali'iLealamanuaLeleimalefagaPala'amoPurdieSalanoaSchwalgerSititiTekoriThompsonH. TuilagiVaeluagaVaisola-SefoCrichtonFa'atauFuimaono-SapoluMapusuaMeafouPoluleuligagaSeveali'iSo'oialoTagicakibauA. TuilagiWilliams2003 Rugby World CupDincklageFa'asavaluLemaluLeupoluMeredithPalepoiPoulosTomuliTuiavi'iTuilagiViliamuFanoluaFanuatanuFe'aunatiRasmussenRopatiTyrell