This is from Rugby league week.
God defend NZ
Stacey Jones has confirmed for the first time that he will help New Zealand defend their Tri-Nations crown at the end of the year.
The formaer Kiwi captain is out of next months Anzac test with a broken arm and his move to France has sparked wide spread speculation that he may never pull on the Kiwi jumper again.
But in an announcement that will delight his army of fans, Jones has revealed to RLW that he is already looking forward to returning Down under to star in the end-of-season Tri-Nations.
"Mate I'd love to defend it" the former Warriors star says.
"Winning it last year was a huge achievment and I'd love the chance to do it again."
"It's back home too, which is something to look forward to. Over the years I've traveled to play in Engalnd a heap of times but I think I've only played Great Britian at home once, so that would be a great experience."
The mecurial halfback twice came out of retirement to play for the Kiwi's last year. He returned to Auckland for the birth of his child then flew to England to play a starring role in the Kiwi's 24-0 final victory against Australia in november.
"I'd promised catalns that I'd be in France for pre-seasontraining," recals Jones who initially quit the international scens amid rumours of a fallout with coach Daniel Anderson.
"I only intended to play in the first twoand then I kept on being asked! If Lance Hohia hadn't got injued I never would have played."
"My wife didn't mind me leaving after the birth. She said'As long as you win; if you don't you may as well stay out there!"
Jones' international team-mate Robbie Paul welcomed his decision to play on this year.
"I've known stacey since we were babies," says Paul. "We're both the same age and we've both been playing in the same rep side since we were nine years old, so I know how good he can be.
"He's crucial to the Kiwi side. He's a great leader and a remarkable talent."
Jones has had a minor setback in his recovery from the broken arm he suffered in a round two loss at Salford.
Catalans' new captain was due back this weekend but specialists say the bone needs longer to heal and he will miss up to six more weeks.
"There's no problem with it, I think the origianl prognosis was probably a bit too ambitious for someone my age," he smiles. "It should be fine for the middle of May but I'm not going to rush it. I want it to be 100 per cent right."
The 29-year-old admits he may not have played in the Anzac test even if he was fit. "I wantto be fair to the Dragons and it would have been a push," he says. "Plus, I did enough flying last year!"
Jones is enjoying his anonymity he is afforded in his new home near Perpignan but he says he still found time to keep tabs on his formaer club
following their pre-season salary cap controversy.
"From being a little kid I always wanted to come and experience a new culture and the shift to France has been great," adds the former Golden Boot winner.
"My family love it. But I'm on the internet a fair bit to see how the Warriors are getting on. they're up against it after having four points deducted but I think it could turn into a positive for them because Ivan Cleary is a very calm guy who will have them working harder."
Dosent worry me too much if we lose the Anzac test as long as we retain the tri-Nations Title. But dont get me wrong Id love to win both this year just to stick it to the Aussies.
God defend NZ
Stacey Jones has confirmed for the first time that he will help New Zealand defend their Tri-Nations crown at the end of the year.
The formaer Kiwi captain is out of next months Anzac test with a broken arm and his move to France has sparked wide spread speculation that he may never pull on the Kiwi jumper again.
But in an announcement that will delight his army of fans, Jones has revealed to RLW that he is already looking forward to returning Down under to star in the end-of-season Tri-Nations.
"Mate I'd love to defend it" the former Warriors star says.
"Winning it last year was a huge achievment and I'd love the chance to do it again."
"It's back home too, which is something to look forward to. Over the years I've traveled to play in Engalnd a heap of times but I think I've only played Great Britian at home once, so that would be a great experience."
The mecurial halfback twice came out of retirement to play for the Kiwi's last year. He returned to Auckland for the birth of his child then flew to England to play a starring role in the Kiwi's 24-0 final victory against Australia in november.
"I'd promised catalns that I'd be in France for pre-seasontraining," recals Jones who initially quit the international scens amid rumours of a fallout with coach Daniel Anderson.
"I only intended to play in the first twoand then I kept on being asked! If Lance Hohia hadn't got injued I never would have played."
"My wife didn't mind me leaving after the birth. She said'As long as you win; if you don't you may as well stay out there!"
Jones' international team-mate Robbie Paul welcomed his decision to play on this year.
"I've known stacey since we were babies," says Paul. "We're both the same age and we've both been playing in the same rep side since we were nine years old, so I know how good he can be.
"He's crucial to the Kiwi side. He's a great leader and a remarkable talent."
Jones has had a minor setback in his recovery from the broken arm he suffered in a round two loss at Salford.
Catalans' new captain was due back this weekend but specialists say the bone needs longer to heal and he will miss up to six more weeks.
"There's no problem with it, I think the origianl prognosis was probably a bit too ambitious for someone my age," he smiles. "It should be fine for the middle of May but I'm not going to rush it. I want it to be 100 per cent right."
The 29-year-old admits he may not have played in the Anzac test even if he was fit. "I wantto be fair to the Dragons and it would have been a push," he says. "Plus, I did enough flying last year!"
Jones is enjoying his anonymity he is afforded in his new home near Perpignan but he says he still found time to keep tabs on his formaer club
following their pre-season salary cap controversy.
"From being a little kid I always wanted to come and experience a new culture and the shift to France has been great," adds the former Golden Boot winner.
"My family love it. But I'm on the internet a fair bit to see how the Warriors are getting on. they're up against it after having four points deducted but I think it could turn into a positive for them because Ivan Cleary is a very calm guy who will have them working harder."
Dosent worry me too much if we lose the Anzac test as long as we retain the tri-Nations Title. But dont get me wrong Id love to win both this year just to stick it to the Aussies.
