Lions returning in 2017

GLORY DAYS: North Auckland's Richard Le Bas (right), along with Glenn Taylor (centre) and Tony Monaghan (left) take on the 1993 British and Irish Lions at Okara Park.PHOTOS/NORTHERN ADVOCATE ARCHIVE

IT'S BEEN over 22 years since the "Kamo Kid", Ian Jones, captained North Auckland's 1993 match against the British and Irish Lions.

But the spectacle remains vivid in the former All Black great's mind.

"I do remember that day, I remember it well - it was certainly a big turnout that afternoon," Jones said.

"I remember for us, that 93 North Auckland side, it was just a great occasion. We made a great fist of it but to be able to take on an international team of that calibre was the greatest thing."

Though the game resulted in a 30-17 win to the touring side, it was a definite win for host city Whangarei and the spectators who were lucky enough to embrace the festive Okara Park atmosphere.

With a chance to recapture the magic of the 1993 Lions Tour in 2017, and other tours which have gone before it, Whangarei's recent announcement as a host city for the next Lions tour to New Zealand will, again, bring the joyous rapture of the Northern Hemisphere's Barmy Army to town.

"I'm so pleased to hear they're coming back," Jones said.

"I think it's well deserved Whangarei is going to be that [host] city and Toll Stadium is a ground that we're proud of.

"Clearly, it's going to be a very intense tour, there's no doubt about that. The chilled-out North will be a good place just to wind into things I'd say."

Although more than two decades have passed since the 1993 fixture, Jones is hopeful the provincial union XV side set to face the Lions in Whangarei two years from now will give up-and-coming local players the exposure to top-level rugby that he was privileged enough to absorb.

"I just remember the occasion, the crowd, and that beautiful sort of feeling at Okara Park. [It was] quite a big moment for all of us, we understood how big it was and understood who we were playing. "It was great to be able to test yourself against the best - the Lions. They come to New Zealand about every 12 years or something so you're pretty lucky if your career coincides with their cycle."

With the chance for fans and players to relive the remnants of yesteryear at the June 3, 2017, fixture at Toll Stadium, Jones said he was intent on making an appearance - even if it is from the sideline or commentary box instead of captaining the starting XV on the day.

"I'd love to be part of it, I'd love to get up there.

"Whoever takes them on will be privileged. Northland will do it well, they deserve it."