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New Zealand schoolboy star Niko Jones signs contract to follow in his famous father's footsteps
A schoolboy rugby prodigy and the son of one of New Zealand’s most cherished past players, has signed for the All Blacks Sevens.
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Niko Jones captained the national champions St Peters 1st XV and captured the attention of the rugby public with a stand-out performance as he led his team to their first National 1st XV title.
He also happens to be the son of Michael Jones, who many regard as the greatest openside to ever play for the All Blacks.
Jones is one of five players that have today announced their All Blacks Sevens contracts, alongside 2018 breakthrough players Akuila Rokolisoa and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black.
The All Blacks Sevens will also have the services of one of their most well known and experienced players through to the Tokyo Olympics, with Kurt Baker locking in his commitment through to 2020.
New players joining the All Blacks Sevens are New Zealand Under 20 and Northland outside back Scott Gregory and
All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw said it was great to have five more players locked in as the season approaches.
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“This season is important for us because it’s an Olympic qualification year. We need to be performing at every tournament we go to, so it is crucial to have a strong squad.
“Kurt has come back into this team and thrived. Not only is he playing some of his best rugby, off the field he is a real leader in this team and it’s hugely exciting knowing that he will be with us for the next two seasons,” he said.
Rokolisoa, McGarvey Black, Gregory and Jones have all signed contracts for the upcoming 2018/2019 World Series.
“Akuila and Ngarohi both came into our environment earlier this year and have been hugely impressive. Ngarohi’s season was cut short with injury but we saw the potential he has in the three tournaments he played. Akuila joined the team as injury cover from the development squad and impressed right from the outset, he was involved in both our Commonwealth Games and World Cup victories.”
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Newcomers Scott Gregory and Jones are the latest of New Zealand’s emerging rugby talent to choose the sevens pathway.
“This year was a perfect example with Etene Nanai-Seturo and Salesi Rayasi playing a year of sevens before picking up Investec Super Rugby contracts. Scott and Niko are outstanding young athletes and its exciting to see what they might be able to achieve in this form of the game.
“Our job is to develop these young men on and off the field; both have big futures ahead of them,” said Laidlaw.
The All Blacks Sevens have just returned from the Oceania Sevens, finishing second after a dramatic extra-time Final loss against Fiji, They depart for the opening tournament of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next week.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
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