Since he hung up his boots, former All Blacks lock Ian Jones has kept himself in shape, but he admits Ironman will be a big step up from anything he's ever done before.
Jones says he wanted to do something to mark his fiftieth birthday next year, and didn't need much convincing to sign up.
"I have never biked 180km, I've never run a marathon in fact although I say I'm a swimmer I've never 4k either," said Jones.
"It's always been a challenge, it's always been at the back of my mind, now I've got a chance to see if I can be an ironman."
To help get to the start line and more importantly the finish, Jones has been training with Torenzo Bozzone.
The 31-year old won the 2008 Ironman 70.3 World championships in Florida by setting a then course record of 3:40:10.
While Bozzone knows what it takes to compete, Jones' believes his seventy nine All Black caps have prepared him well for the challenge.
"Playing for the all blacks is always the hardest, greatest challenge you'll ever have in your life," said Jones.
"But this is a different one, this isn't easy."
The Ironman will take place on Sunday 4 March 2016 in Taupo.
Newshub.
