Amazing

Sport

Amazing Michael

By Paul Moon

WESTERN Samoa does not pos sess many world champion sportsmen, therefore she can take particular pride in claiming three in the current all-conquering New Zealand All Blacks rugby competition. Samoans Joe Stanley and Michael Jones were key members of the side which won rugby union’s inaugural World Cup in 1987 and, during the last two seasons, their compatriot John Schuster has also estab lished himself in the team.

Of this illustrious trio, Jones has gained the most accolades and greater adulation around the globe. He is widely regarded as the finest exponent in the

game today of his specialist position

open sided flanker. A flanker is the rug by equivalent of cricket’s all rounder. He must have the physical strength to con tribute to the effectiveness of a scrum and the speed to be an extra back. When possession is lost in a scrum, it is often the flanker’s role to be the first to win it back by pressurising the ball carrier into making a mistake or diving on the ball should opponents not have it under con trol.

The ideal flanker, then, should have power and pace in abundance, plus razor sharp reflexes. On all accounts, Jones fits the bill perfectly. Add to this a magnificent physique, a zeal for main taining peak fitness, a hunger to hone his talents further, a wealth of basic skills (his ball handling and tackling are im maculate, his side step devastating) and the fact that he is only 24 and there is little doubt of Jones’ capability of raising the flanker’s craft to an unprecedented level. Yet, he considers rugby to be only the fourth most important factor in his life. Family, religious beliefs and educa tion all take priority.

Like most Samoan families, Michael’s is a close knit unit. His parents, Maina and Derek, met while Derek (a New Zealander) was holidaying in Samoa where the couple married and lived for six years. During this time, Michael’s two sisters, Kathi and Anita, and his brother Derek junior were born. The then five strong family moved to Auckland in 1964 and Michael arrived on the scene a year later. He is the only child born in New Zealand.

Tragically, just after Michael’s fourth birthday, his father (then aged only 38) suffered a heart attack and died. From

that time on, the Samoan influences upon him have been predominant.

Michael refers to the village of Matautu, on the southern coast of Up olu, as home. He journeys, with his mother and step father, to spend each Christmas there and delights in turning out for the local rugby team in im promptu games during the festive sea son. He actually made his international debut in the colours of Western Samoa; playing for the islands against Wales in 1986. Unfortunately, stricter selection

eligibility regulations have prevented

further appearances and even precluded him from acting as manager for the Samoan seven-a-side team in Sydney earber this year.

In keeping with his Samoan background, Jones is a dedicated Christian whose devotion extends far beyond

membership of the Congregational

Church of Samoa. Often, he gives testimony to his faith at Christian youth

gatherings and steadfastly refuses to play

rugby on Sundays.

Jones’ resolve to commit the Sabbath entirely to his church and family has meant his missing many vital games, in cluding New Zealand’s 1987 World Cup semifinal clash with Wales at Brisbane.

Such is his ability though that there has never been any serious suggestion of him being discarded by the All Blacks because of his stance on Sunday rugby.

If the young Samoan’s religious beliefs mark him as being far removed from the public concept of a typical rugby for ward, then his academic achievements further emphasise the point. Amongst Henderson High School’s most success ful students of recent times, he went on to Auckland University and gained a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, before, in 1988, completing a two-year degree in Town Planning. Currently enrolled for a Masters in Geography, Jones will write a thesis on Samoa this year.

The world is truly Michael Jones’ oys ter and there appears to be little limit to what he can achieve both on and off the rugby pitch. Many believe that he will eventually move into the upper echelons of the public service and perhaps follow in the footsteps of his maternal uncle Niko, who was Western Samoa’s first consul general to New Zealand and secretary to the Justice Department in

Apia.

Jones, a modest and self-effacing man who loathes giving interviews, refuses to discuss his future or any long term em

ployment ambitions. “I just take things

one day at a time”, is his now automatic response for friends and journalists alike. Few can question the amiable six footer’s ability to gain success in whatev er field he chooses to become involved in. Fewer still will begrudge him that success. □

Full pace: Michael Jones in typical form.

Graduation day: Michael Jones with sister Kathi (left), Maina and sister Anita.