Is Michael Jones' try the right statue for Eden Park?

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

Opinion

An Auckland artist will rush to complete an enormous bronze statue of Michael Jones for the Rugby World Cup after last-minute funding was approved.

Natalie Stamilla's plan to construct a 1 1/2 scale sculpture of Jones was set back last year due to Eden Park's hesitation in backing it, and a lack of cashflow.

But Contractors Bonding Ltd have stumped up $300,000 to fund the project, which will be on permanent loan to the redeveloped stadium.

The sculpture immortalises one of the most famous images in Rugby World Cup history - Jones diving across the try-line against Italy in the 1987 tournament.

Is this the right statue for Eden Park? Send us Your Views.