Ian Jones

Ian Jones is one of the most capped All Blacks ever (79 tests), a rugby legend who brings a passion to everything he does. This makes him an articulate and highly entertaining speaker, who is a joy to be around.

At 6’6″, long and lanky, the ‘Kamokid’ as he is known, overcome his perceived lack of bulk to become one of New Zealand’s greatest ever rugby locks. Between his debut in 1989 and retirement from test rugby in 1999 Ian had played 105 games, including 79 test matches for the All Blacks, second only to Sean Fitzpatrick with 92 in the era he played.

Ian is a product of Northland and will forever be known by the nickname “Kamo” after the Whangarei suburb in which he grew up – and in a street that included Olympian Blyth Tait and Black Cap Bryan Young. His first cap for the All Blacks was at Dunedin’s Carisbrook against Scotland in 1990, where he scored a try on debut. From 1990 through to 1999, Ian was an automatic selection for the All Blacks. He and Robin Brooke formed one of the most enduring locking partnerships in international rugby. They were the ideal combination, with one commanding the front of the line out and the other the middle. While Robin was a hardnosed grinder, Ian had the ball skills in the open. In the Super 12 Ian made 38 appearances, often as captain, for the Chiefs between 1996 and 1999.

Ian had a four year stint of English rugby rugby with Gloucester and WASPS before returning to Auckland to work as a presenter/commentator for Sky TV and an ambassador for Philips New Zealand. He is now an AIA Vitality Ambassador, is passionate about men’s mental health and the benefits of exercise to one’s overall health. When he is not talking about his passions and the lessons, he has learned he is doing them, regularly competing in endurance events or organising major missions to help fundraiser for causes close to his heart.

In the New Year Honours 2010, Ian was appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby. Since winding up his playing carrier Ian has covered many roles in the media and his philanthropic work including starting a community food kitchen with his family, called Eddies Meals, an extreme ocean swim and a length of the North Island triathlon to name a few.

Family, community, and fitness are at the heart of everything he does. Ian speaks about coaching, leadership and team dynamics, relating sport to business and includes generous doses of humour.