Arise Sir Michael

The former All Black Sir Michael Jones has been invested as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington today.

Jones has been made a Knight Companion of the order for his services to the Pacific community and youth.

He wore a traditional red ulafala or necklace, to honour his Samoan heritage and received a long round of applause from the packed crowd after Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy bestowed the honour on him.

Jones was a member of the 1987 World Cup winning playing 55 games for the All Blacks between 1987-1998.

He also played for Samoa in 1986 and coached the Samoa national side between 2004-2007.