New Zealand rugby league great Stacey Jones will make a shock return to the New Zealand Warriors next season.
Jones, 32, announced today he had come out of retirement and signed a one-year deal with the National Rugby League club he represented for 11 seasons.
An approach by Warriors coach Ivan Cleary and a recent taste of top level football with the All Golds invitation team against New Zealand Maori in New Plymouth last month had convinced the playmaking halfback to make a return.
“It’s a huge decision but I’m so excited about what’s ahead,” Jones said.
“After training with All Golds and playing in that game I realised how much I missed being out there.
“I really enjoyed the time I had back at the Warriors this year.”
Jones was employed as the Warriors’ kicking coach in 2008.
Nicknamed The Little General, Jones has played 46 Tests for New Zealand along with 238 NRL games for the Warriors from 1995 – their foundation season – to 2005.
He played for French club Catalans Dragons from 2006-07 and officially retired in October last year with his last game for the All Golds against the Northern Union in Warrington.
Jones currently has a mentoring role with the Kiwis at the World Cup in Australia.
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