Auckland rugby has pulled off a major coup, winning the tug-o-war for the services of Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks legend Sir Michael.
Canterbury were reportedly close to signing the promising 18-year-old before he told media the news he had signed a two-year deal with the Auckland province.
The St Peters College flanker has admitted he is still getting used to all the media attention.
"It's different the life of a professional, I never thought I would be living this life and I've got a lot of adjusting to do I'm still a kid," said Niko.
His father Sir Michael watched his son's first ever press conference and said he was surprised with his confidence on camera.
"Very impressed actually, gosh when I was 18 I was such a shy little fella," said Sir Michael.
With Niko signing with the All Blacks Sevens, who are based at Mount Maunganui fulltime, signing with Auckland was the logical choice.
"With the sevens option coming in late into the piece it did make it a bit more straight forward around, 'Ok he needs to probably be closer to home,'" said Sir Michael.
"We realise that he’s been given a gift in rugby but the most important other part of that is to steward the gift and understand that it is a gift."
Niko was meant to play in tomorrow's Ignite Sevens tournament, a trial for national sevens contracts. But he has pulled out due to a hamstring strain.
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