/ 7 April 2004

All Black legend chosen as Samoa coach

All Black legend Michael Jones was on Wednesday appointed head coach of Samoa.

Jones replaces New Zealander John Boe and was named to the post by Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele, who is also chairperson of the Samoa Rugby Union, and banker Michael Fay, chairperson of the New Zealand-based Manu Samoa Rugby.

”This appointment is special to me and I am very humbled by it,” Jones, who has been assistant Samoa coach for the past four years, said in a statement.

Boe said Samoan rugby has a bright future under Jones.

”I have no doubt Michael Jones will do a fine job and I wish him and Manu Samoa all the best as they start their preparations for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France,” said Boe.

New Zealand-born Jones (39) first played for the All Blacks in 1987 and went on to play 55 Tests and 74 games in All Black colours.

This year Samoa will play Tonga in Apia on May 29, Scotland in Wellington on June 4 and Fiji in Suva on June 12. — Sapa-AFP