Showing his true colours

University of Queensland player Morgan Jones will pull on the colours of his country for the second time in this month’s International Cup. Jones, 27, is one of five Australian-based Kiwis who have been selected in the New Zealand squad.
The Red Lions utility, who lives in Fortitude Valley, played for Mt Roskill as a junior and has captained the Auckland team.
He has been named as vice captain for the tournament, which will see New Zealand take on teams from Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, the US, China, Denmark, Finland, India, Nauru, Sweden, Africa and the Peace Team made up of Israelis and Palestinians.
Since joining the St Lucia-based Red Lions, Jones says his game has improved dramatically.
“In New Zealand rugby (union) rules and AFL is pretty amateur,’’ he said.
“Over here it’s a lot more serious and I’m training two or three times a week and watch AFL on television.’’
Jones was also a part of the New Zealand team in 2006, also as vice captain.
“It’s amazing pulling on the colours of your country,’’ he said.
“It would be amazing to captain the side but not being based in New Zealand doesn’t help my chances.’’
In a warm-up match on August 2 against the Victoria-based Maffra Eagles the NZ Falcons lost 13.13 (91) to 3.1 (19).
Jones was nominated as New Zealand’s best player by the Maffra team, proof his training under UQ coach Travis Warren is paying off.
New Zealand were winners of the 2005 International Cup and Jones is hoping to experience winning the tournament for the first time, with the final played at the MCG in September.

http://westside-news.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/showing-his-true-colours/