Famous try lives again as art

Artist Natalie Stamilla with her model of Michael Jones. The cardboard cut-out to the left is to indicate scale. Photo / Greg Bowker

A bronze sculpture of All Black great Michael Jones has been given the go-ahead for Eden Park - but its subject may be too shy to have a close-up look.

The 1.5 scale statue, constructed by fine arts graduate Natalie Stamilla, has finally been confirmed for the Rugby World Cup's base.

It captures one of the most famous images in the tournament's history - Jones diving across the try-line against Italy in the 1987 Cup.

Jones said he was completely humbled by a statue in his likeness.

"I might be avoiding that particular entrance to the stadium," he joked. "It's very flattering. But it's not so much a statue depicting me, it symbolises the first World Cup and the first try - it embodies everything that was wonderful about the 87 team.

"I could think of several other images which are just as important."

Stamilla, 28, made meticulous measurements of the former player several months ago to create an accurate mould.

Jones said he was "a bit of a layman when it comes to sculpture".

The project stalled last year as Eden Park's board hesitated to back it, and the artist expressed concerns about funding.

But after seeing a prototype of the statue in the Herald, Contractors Bonding will pay for it, at a cost of $300,000.

Chief executive Peter Harris said it just had to be made.

"Not only was Michael Jones the first try-scorer in the first Rugby World Cup, he is a truly inspirational Kiwi who has had a great influence on rugby communities here, in Samoa and around the world," he said.

"We are not good at commemorating our heroes, and we should do more of it."

The sculpture design is based on a photograph by Geoff Dale, Stamilla's father, who worked as a Herald photographer during the 1987 tournament.

The Auckland-based sculptor now has a race to complete the piece before the first pool games begin in September.

"Sometimes I wonder whether I've bitten off more than I can chew. It's exciting, but a nervous excitement."

The sculpture pattern has been completed, and casting is expected to begin shortly at Artworks Foundry in New Lynn.

Wax will be cast around the mould, which is then coated in ceramic. Once the wax has been melted away, bronze will be poured into the ceramic mould, which is then removed.

The Eden Park Trust Board is yet to confirm the exact site of the sculpture.