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New Zealand's rising star Niko Jones was almost lost to MLR until Moana Pasifika called

19 Jan 2022

(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images for New Zealand Rugby)

Promising young loose forward Niko Jones almost left New Zealand in early January to take up an opportunity in the MLR in the USA after a challenging two years since starring as a schoolboy in 2018.

The son of All Black legend Michael Jones signed a contract with the All Blacks Sevens coming out of school but injury limited his time in the shorter game before linking up with his local provincial union Auckland.

He made his NPC debut in 2020 but a raft of injuries and Auckland’s lockdown situation limited Jones to seven games over the last two seasons.

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When the Blues made a play for promising Tasman-product Anton Segner, Jones was on the outer and begun looking overseas where an offer to play in the MLR came forward.

That was until Moana Pasifika came calling and gave Jones the opportunity to train with the squad.

“Things kind of fell into place to end up here, I didn’t expect it so it’s all come full circle,” the 21-year-old told One News Sport.

“It’s been a journey of rugby, injuries and not making all the teams, that’s a part of the game and if anything I’ve grown from it and I’m in a good place now,” he said.

“I’m feeling in really good shape physically and all those sorts of things.”

The prospect of Jones launching his Super Rugby career with Moana Pasifika could be a major coup for the start-up franchise, as the Auckland-product’s potential held in high regard.

With Wallabies veterans Sekope Kepu and Christian Leali’ifano adding leadership and experience to the squad, Jones has been learning from some of the most experienced players of this era.

“The culture they bring, got a bit of an Aussie twist on it too…but they got those Pacific roots too, it’s awesome to see they did a lot of time over there but their culture and everything about them is Pasifika,” he said.

“I’m a bit in awe when I’m with them but to feel like I’m on the same level as well, they don’t seem like they’re higher than me or anything, they’re just one of the boys.”

Moana play their first ever game of Super Rugby against the Blues at Mount Smart Stadium on February 18 to open the season, giving Jones the chance to match up against his hometown franchise.

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Comments on RugbyPass

ZamaZama 8 minutes ago

Easterby hits back at France's conduct in the wake of Dupont injury

Once again the whining schoolboy wants to tell everyone how to behave. What a 💩

17 Go to comments

RedWarriors 25 minutes ago

Easterby hits back at France's conduct in the wake of Dupont injury

He publicly demanded that the Irish players should be cited and declared their actions reprehensible. The obvious implication is that the referee has made grave errors and that the ‘culprits’ and ‘butchers’ of Dupont were not reprimanded. Of course he publicly stated that he didn’t blame the referee. Ofcourse his meaning was clear and the evidence is collective rage by the French public against the referee. This is dishonest and cowardice by Galthie. The two Irish players he attacked then received threats to their safety by French ‘supporters’.

We know that France have more suspensions for dangerous tackles than all other six nations combined under Galthie.

We know that he publicly lied about the ‘injustice’ of the Ntamack v Ringrose bans. He knew the difference, he acknowledged it in his evidence for Ntamack and he knew that French players had benefitted more than any others over both cases in previous years.

The last thing rugby needs is trial by media by mini Trumps who are only interested in cheating for their own country and disguising their own short comings.

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MichaelT4 36 minutes ago

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I definitely watched the game - England did stun them by winning, no one expected that. Not Englands fault that France dropped the ball - figuratively and literally - and it was England who then outscored them and out scrummed them and battered their big forwards back several times. England arent given enough credit for that win. Game of the tournament. Ireland v France wasnt a game by the second half, it was one-way.

For the Scotland game they were lucky Russell missed his kicks, but Scotland should have had a red card for the head contact from the winger on Chessum. No arms, jumped up and first contact was with the head. Evens out on the luck front.

Not sure England deserve an A that this article gives them, should be reserved for the winner, but they won their games by scoring more points. If another team had the same tournament as England, they would be lauded for their character and grit.

2 Go to comments

JB 52 minutes ago

Six Nations report card: Each team graded from A to F

Re England … “they stunned France …”

Really? Were we watching the same game? France left at least 3 tries begging, none of which were due to England’s defense - they should have been out of sight by half time.

For me, it was more France losing the game than England winning it.

France were stunned, yes, but by themselves

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Jahmirwayle 1 hour ago

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TI 1 hour ago

Lions selection: 3 winners and losers from each country

Hugo Keenan played well in games where Ireland didn’t. I think he should be listed as a winner instead of Beirne, or Sheehan, who were always going to go.

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Chelsey Kate 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

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36 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

It will be interesting to see how developmental the summer squad is. Given how much consistency of selection there was throughout 2024 and the early part of 2025, I wonder if Borthwick’s suddenly erratic teamsheets were an attempt to build enough depth to play almost solely first team players against Argentina.

E.g. if Freeman and Furbank both go to Australia (which I think would be unlikely) England could still field a back three of Marcus Smith, Roebuck, and Feyi-Waboso, with Steward, Daly, Sleightholme, and Murley also in the squad. Similarly if both Curry brothers and Ben Earl all go (which I think would be similarly unlikely) England could still select Tom Willis, Underhill, and Cunningham-South in the back row. Hardly a developmental lineup! There would have to be newer and less experienced players brought in in the second row and at centre, but even here there could be starting partnerships of Martin & Coles and Dingwall & Daly.

I think there’s a good chance England’s progress will be built on directly in Argentina.

36 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

The big concern for me is that our 13 forwards are at a big disadvantage against their 15.

36 Go to comments

Otagoman II 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

They had an average game against a Hurricanes side that was marginally better. They were poor protecting their ball and blew many promising attacking raids. Tangitau did his best to win the game by himself with a 85 metre intercept try and a a quick tap kick ahead that resulted in another. Highlanders scored no phase play tries. Joseph said that their attack was basically too conservative playing one out and that the support should of been better. They will need to do better with their attack this saturday as the Reds have plenty of points in them with quick ball.

36 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?