Niko Jones, son of former All Black Michael Jones, is among the emerging stars named for the Ignite7s.

Schoolboy rugby sensation Niko Jones has fended off a tempting offer from Crusaders country and decided to stay in Auckland for his provincial rugby.

The son of All Blacks legend Sir Michael Jones, and one of New Zealand rugby's hottest young prospects, revealed on Friday at the Ignite7 talent search programme that he has signed a two-year deal with his home-town Auckland provincial union.

It is another huge boost for the province, fresh from winning the Mitre 10 Cup after an epic clash with Canterbury last month. Now they have pipped the red and blacks in the race for the coveted Jones signature.

PHIL WALTERS/GETTY IMAGES St Peter's captain Niko Jones lifts the trophy following the First XV 1A Final against King's College.

Jones' immediate priority is the sevens game after he was a surprise inclusion in Clark Laidlaw's national squad for the 2019 international campaign but he was happy to have made a final decision on staying local to launch his professional XVs career.

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"It's really exciting to be staying home," he said. "West Auckland is my home. There were offers from around the country, with amazing academies and all the provinces have great things going for them.

"I had to weigh it all up, visit some, and I was very thankful and honoured they gave me their time and looked into me. But just with the sevens and my decision to go down there (to Mount Maunganui) it was the best option for me to be here in Auckland."

Jones emphasised there was no pressure from his father who carved his reputation as the world's best No 7 in the blue and white hoops of Auckland (1985-99), but said the 1987 All Blacks world champion had been happy with his final decision.

"My parents told me to make the decision that feels right and what's best for me, no pressure at all. I was at peace and happy and I know my dad wanted what was best for me. He's happy, but I know whatever decision I made he'd be happy anyways."

STUFF All Blacks legend Sir Michael Jones is rapt his son will follow his footsteps into Auckland rugby.

The teen, fresh off his final-year school exams, is excited about stepping into the national sevens programme, though will first have to shake off a hamstring injury that prevented him from testing and playing in the Ignite7 programme that wraps up this weekend. The self-confessed "Momma's boy" will be moving to Mount Maunganui to join Laidlaw's squad when they return from the Dubai tournament.

Like many other hot young prospects before him, the solidly built loose forward hopes to use sevens as a stepping stone to bigger and better things in the XV-a-side game.

"I remember watching Rieko [Ioane], and those guys doing it out of school, thinking it was amazing. For me to be in a similar position is unbelievable. Hopefully I can do it in a similar way, but whatever comes I know I'll be with great coaches and great players and it worked for them.

"I'll work hard and take all I can from it so hopefully it can work for me too."

Jones, who led St Peter's College to both the Auckland and national schools titles in 2018, was not sure about the timetable for his introduction to international sevens but was happy to trust those decisions to those more qualified than him.

"They are not going to rush me into it because I haven't played a lot of sevens. They've got a plan, and they know what they're doing. I just have to do all I can to get myself better.

"2019 is exciting and I'm going to do all I can to put myself in the best place, but also enjoy it too, soak up the experience of being around amazing players and not get caught up in it."

And the Olympic dream?

"You have to think about it but it's two years away and my focus is just to learn all I can now and if that comes, it comes. But it's an amazing dream to have."

He also reflected on the incredible success with St Peter's in 2018 and a group of players who had come through the school since they were 12 years old.

"Our favourite game was when we beat St Kent's in the Auckland semi," he said with a smile. "They were the top team, unbeaten, and we won in dramatic fashion to score a try on the last play and then get the kick.

"Every game after that was amazing … but to be with my friends, my brothers, going down to Palmerston North, the bus ride, the singing, that's what I remember most. The stuff on the field was amazing, but the things I cherish was just being around my friends and the memories we created."

And the whole son of the legend thing – pressure or privilege?

"It's a privilege … not because he's an All Black, but because he's a great dad, loving and supportive and every week he's helped me grow as a man and rugby player. He can be hard on me but I know he's always wanting the best.

"There can be pressure but it is what it is and I have to take it and run with it. I'm just thankful he's my dad and he's been as good as he has to me."