Rugby: Jones to quit New Zealand

By Chris Rattue

Ian Jones, the most capped All Black lock, will quit New Zealand rugby at the end of this year to take up a contract with Gloucester in England.

The 32-year-old signed the deal at 7pm on Monday and called a press conference last night at the New Zealand A team's hotel to announce his future plans.

With overseas players banned from All Black selection, Jones' decision will bring down the curtain on one of the great All Black careers.

He could still end his test days as the most-capped lock of all time. His 77 appearances are second only to Irishman Willie John McBride's 80, and Jones has played more tests as a lock for his country than any player because 17 of McBride's tests were for the Lions.

With his wife Janine alongside him, carrying their 17-day old son Flynn, Jones told the media that his decision had nothing to do with his dropping from the All Black team to play the opening tri-series match against South Africa.

While negotiating his new New Zealand Rugby Football Union contract last year, Jones had told the national body that he planned to go overseas after this year's World Cup.

"I have been looking at my options over the past 18 months. My wife Janine has recently had a baby and we have been especially keen to secure our future," said Jones, who is still expected to make his third World Cup squad.

"John Hart has made it clear I still figure strongly in the World Cup thinking so I'll be doing all I can with the New Zealand A side in the next couple of weeks to try to ensure I remain in the picture [being dropped] has re-fuelled my desire to get back in the test squad and I have a real passion for the All Blacks.

"It's great to know our future is now settled and it gives me an opportunity to be 100 per cent committed to finishing my New Zealand rugby career in the best possible way.

"I wanted to be up front and didn't want to have to deny things. That backfires on an individual."

Jones' NZRFU contract ends in November and he has signed an 18 month deal, with the option for another season, to play for Gloucester who are coached by former French captain Philippe Saint-Andre.

Jones made his provincial debut for North Auckland in 1988 and was included in the All Black squad which toured Canada and Britain the following season. He and Walter Little made their test debuts in the 31-16 win over Scotland at Carisbrook in 1990, where Jones locked the scrum with Gary Whetton and scored a try.

Jones will leave New Zealand rugby with a string of outstanding records including:

* His 77 tests (with only three as a replacement) makes him the most capped All Black lock.

* His 47 tests alongside Robin Brooke is an international test locking record.

* He is one of just nine players with more than 100 All Black appearances.

* He is second behind Sean Fitzpatrick's 92 All Black test appearances.

* He is one of 23 New Zealand players with 250 or more first class appearances.

The great All Black lock Colin Meads paid tribute to Jones last night, saying that Jones and Australian John Eales were the greatest lineout ball winners of their generation.

"You must remember that Jones played much of his rugby before lifting was allowed and he got up there higher than anyone.

"He and Robin Brooke formed a complete combination and he is one of our great players.

"I think it was me who suggested to the press when he first started playing that he was so mobile, he could have played in the loose forwards.

"When I think of Ian Jones I will always remember the last World Cup and the fantastic contribution he made to that team.

"It's always sad when you see people go overseas but that is the way in the professional era and the players have got to look after their futures."