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Stephen Jones, the former fly-half with 104 caps for Wales has been recruited for two seasons as assistant coach of the Moana Pasifika franchise under the leadership of head coach Tana Umaga.
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The man who previously coached Wasps and Scarlets at club level and was Wales attack coach from 2019 to 2022, said he and his family enjoyed moving to Auckland in last October.
As far as he is concerned, it is “an amazing opportunity” to coach in Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika and a “no brainer”.
A decision which dates back to May 2023
His decision dates back to May last year, when he came to Auckland to work on his personal development with the Blues. There he met Tana Umaga, who was then the team’s assistant coach and, beyond that, a former opponent on the field.
Since then, Tana Umaga, who spent time with Toulon between 2006 and 2011 as both a player and coach, has been appointed head coach of Moana Pasifika.
Jones, 46, never thought such an opportunity could present itself, but he was delighted to later receive a phone call from Umaga offering him a position on his staff.
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“The people I’m working with are incredible. The playing group, we’ve been working them very, very hard, they’ve been open-minded, willing to learn and willing to grow. The experience has been top drawer.” Jones told AllBlacks.com.
“I like the cultural aspect [of Moana Pasifika]. I love their attitude toward faith and family, and the pride they have in their culture. It’s something very special.
A strong link with Pacific philosophy
Having spent 95 per cent of his international career under New Zealand coaches Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland, Stephen Jones is well versed in New Zealand’s style and playing philosophy, which applies to the Super Rugby.
“But it’s been awesome to watch the boys’ catch-pass skills and ability to play with width and tempo,” said Jones. “It hasn’t surprised me, but it is awesome to see the vision and speed with which they can transfer the ball along with the great athletic ability we have here.”
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His goal with the team is all about learning, improving, experimenting with different styles and philosophies, working with different cultures, and he loved every minute of it.
Nili Latu in charge of the forwards
He is joined in this challenge by another renowned international, Nili Latu , who won 54 caps with Tonga and has solid experience in Super Rugby with the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, as well as 110 matches for the NEC Rockets in Japan and 48 matches with Newcastle Falcons.
This trio of coaches provides serious support to the newcomers to the competition, who are going into their third season. The new forwards coach knows New Zealand rugby better than Jones, but is grateful to have had the opportunity to coach the team.
“I am Moana myself, being Tongan, but I represent everyone else with the ocean that connects all the islands. This is where our connection lies. For me, it is an opportunity to work with my people,” he assures.
The Moana Pasifika concept is making a real impact as the team enters its third year. Previously, players were sent to other New Zealand franchises or overseas.
Comments on RugbyPass
It is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
16 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
218 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
218 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
44 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
16 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
44 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
5 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
218 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
218 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
44 Go to commentsTypical crap Aussie weather
11 Go to comments