Michael Jones Bio

Michael Jones is one of the finest All Blacks of all time. He has been named by Rugby World Magazine as the third best All Black of the 20th century and he was also once described as “almost the perfect rugby player”. Michael Jones was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.

Born 8 April 1965, Michael Jones was discovered by scouts at an early age. When he was 10, he was already tackling and competing with 15 to 18 year-olds. Throughout his junior career, he often played 2-3 age groups ahead of his usual age group due to his stature and build.

As a result, Michael Jones made his first appearance for Auckland in 1985. He stayed with the club for the entirety of his domestic career and also represented the Blues in Super Rugby between 1996 and 1999.

As a member of these Auckland-based teams, Michael Jones was part of sides that dominated New Zealand rugby in the 1980s and 90s. Between 1985 and 1999, Auckland won nine NPC titles, five Super 6 championships and defended the Ranfurly Shield a record 61 consecutive times (between 1985 and 1993). In addition, the Blues won the first two Super 12 competitions in 1996 and 1997. On top of this, in 1997, he succeeded Zinzan Brooke as captain of Auckland and the Blues.