Ian Jones: Former All Black ahead of the first All Blacks test of the season against England

The first All Blacks game of the season is upon us. 

It’s the first game with Scott Robertson at the helm, as his team faces England on Saturday. 

New Zealand has won 33 of the last 43 matches against the Brits, and the All Blacks currently sit 3rd in the global rankings, two steps above England in 5th. 

Former All Black Ian Jones told Mike Hosking that the energy level is high and we don’t know who’s going to win. 

He said that the way Scott Robertson and his team has brought fans of the game on board and along for the ride, really selling the game, makes it really, really intriguing. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So here we go the first Test of the season.
Always one of anticipation, of course, All Blacks versus England,
great prospect of a contest, and that's before you get
to the Robertson part of them. So for what it's worth,
when it comes to England, we've won thirty three of
the last forty three tests and Ian Jones is with
us on this and very good morning to you.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Yeah, good morning, Mike, Good morning to your listeners. Thanks
for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
Not at all you're looking forward to it?

Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yeah, I am. Energy levels very high, as you say,
lots of anticipation. First tears. Traditionally the All Blacks a
little bit lusty. But the great thing about this game
and what sport needs in general, Mike, is the unknown.
Who is going to win? I actually don't know, which
makes it even more exciting. And the way that Scott
Robinson and his team has brought us, you and me

(00:42):
fans of the game on board along for the right
long for the journey sold the game makes it really
really intriguing and so looking forward to it.

Speaker 1 (00:50):
I just like the fact that we're not opening with
Australia or South Africa once again. You know it's got
that same old, same old field. This is a bit
different and I.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
Like that a little unknown. They haven't been down here
for a while. They are great rivals of ours. We
need to stand up and an unknown quality all sides.
Think for a fan like you and I put this
on edge, we should feel like this. We are part
of the team. Scott Robinson's bringing us as part of
the all back team, and we keep saying, you know,
when this country is behind one all backs, we are

(01:19):
a very very strong force.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
I was told this morning it's not a sellout, and
that astonishes me because one it's the All Blacks and
two it's it's Dunedin's not your biggest stadium.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
I was told it was a sellout, so we're big
to differ there. I think you'll find it is going
to be a sellout. I know at the start of
the week they had eight hundred tickets, so it is
gone good. I hope no one's return their ticket, mate,
because I'm flying down there tomorrow and I want to
see a sellout.

Speaker 1 (01:43):
No, you're not flying via Wanganui, perchance, are you? Ian?

Speaker 2 (01:47):
No? Not, but you mentioned Wanganui and the great thing
that Wanganui. Mike Stephen pet Fetter. Pathways are important to
this game. Went from Wanganui Heart and Rugby, Taranaki NFC
Rugby Super Rugby All Backs one incredible pathway to show
any kid out there in New Zealand. You can make
it from wherever you are. Very important, Heartland NPC Super

(02:10):
Rugby All Backs.

Speaker 1 (02:11):
Brilliant, fantastic call it for me. Who do you think
all blacks by?

Speaker 2 (02:14):
What are all backs? Just because I'm very passionate about
the allbacks but as an unknown all backs byle's ongoing
twelve year twelve plus.

Speaker 1 (02:23):
Okay, good on you mate, well you are you thoroughly
enjoy your time. They appreciate yours as always on this
Friday morning. Ian Jones, who's doing a little bit of
work I knowe for the for the BBC Mike chat
GPT says twenty two and a half minutes to drive
from Parmers to north of Wanganui in an F one
with no speed limits. Very good. How about his answer
on Wonganui. I mean it takes a real talent to

(02:43):
take a left ball dumb question from Hosking and work
in a player too. That's absolutely That's how you get
a job for the b that's how you get a
job for the BBC. For more from the mic Asking Breakfast,
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