Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown determined to keep Sir Michael Jones statue at Eden Park

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he is horrified to see the Sir Michael Jones statue go up for sale outside Eden Park and admits the council might have to fork out the money to ensure it remains at the stadium.

Last month, it was announced the statue, depicting Jones scoring the first Rugby World Cup try, in the 1987 tournament opener against Italy, has been put up for sale under instructions from the liquidators of CBL Insurance Limited, which fell over in 2018.

The statue, which was unveiled in 2011, is made of bronze, and is 4.2m long and 3m high with the estimated original $330,000 cost of the sculpture by Auckland artist Natalie Stamilla provided by CBL Insurance Ltd.

The liquidators have appointed global asset experts Gordon Brothers to handle the sale. Gordon Brothers says that while there is no requirement for the statue to remain in situ, the preferred outcome is for it to remain on display at Eden Park.

Brown told the Herald he was willing to do anything to ensure the statue remains at Eden Park.

“I’m horrified to find that such a good thing has got itself tangled up in somebody else’s failed business problems,” Brown said.

“He’s an icon and a lovely man and a good friend of mine.

“If the worst comes to worst, we’ll have to stick a hand in the pocket, but I’m horrified that something like that could happen.

“But this goes to show that a lot of people get involved in things they don’t really understand ...”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown wants the Sir Michael Jones statue to remain at Eden Park. Photo / Alex Burton

Mitch Booth, a senior managing director at Gordon Brothers, told the Herald they were hoping for an announcement by the end of March.

“We have had a number of positive responses from both NZ and overseas and are working through the inquiries,” Booth said.

Stamilla made the sculpture based on a photo taken by her dad, former NZ Herald photographer Geoff Dale. Stamilla also made the Sir Colin Meads statue in Te Kūiti.

Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said the statue has “deep significance” to the stadium.

“We welcome engagement with any potential buyer of the Sir Michael Jones bronze statue which is proudly located at Eden Park, the home of rugby in New Zealand and the fortress where many of the game’s most historic moments have been made.

“Sir Michael scored the first try of the first-ever 1987 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park in his very first match for the All Blacks. This statue has deep significance, honouring not only that defining try, but Sir Michael’s continued contribution at Eden Park and the legacy of all All Blacks who have played on this ground.

“It is fitting that it remains at New Zealand’s national stadium, accessible to everyone who comes to Eden Park to reflect on our rugby history and share in those moments.”

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.