Jones remembers winning ways

BY GLEN JACKSON

Last updated 05:00 23/03/2009

Relevant offers

League

Warriors testing their options in final trial Manly tough enough to prevail says Toovey Storm keep rolling on under Bellamy Kiwi Ben Roberts out to prove a point at Eels Canterbury march on into Des Hasler era Warriors wary of more preseason injuries NRL referee Matt Cecchin reveals homosexuality Shaun Kenny-Dowall suffers lacerated kidney Warriors lose Rapira brothers for NRL opener Vatuvei magic gives Warriors win over Souths

Stacey Jones had forgotten what tired feels like, but he hadn't forgotten how to win.

The temperatures left the returning halfback struggling to even talk, however, he still had enough to turn up the heat even more on premiers Manly, who suffered their second consecutive defeat and are now second-last on the competition ladder.

Jones orchestrated a remarkable comeback from 24-16 down, setting up two late tries placing pressure on Warriors coach Ivan Cleary to make him the side's starting No.7 more than three years after he last played in the NRL.

"I was knackered out there,'' Jones said afterwards.

"I'd forgotten what tired felt like. I really struggled, but probably a lot of players did. The heat really got to everyone. I just couldn't talk out there, I was that tired.

"[But] each time I get a bit more game time I'll get a lot more comfortable and confident. And hopefully fitness comes with that."

Clearly he hasn't lost a lot in the smarts department.

After almost setting the Warriors on the comeback trail after 64 minutes, with video referee Chris Ward denying Nathan Fien a try from Jones ball, he provided two magical assists.

After 69 minutes, he chipped from his own 40, regathered and then bamboozled the scrambling Manly defence with a dummy before sending centre Brent Tate over.

"Wade McKinnon actually tipped me up on it,'' Jones said humbly.

"We couldn't get out of our own half and we probably had to try something. We got a lucky bounce."

Then with just two minutes remaining, he kicked for his winger Manu Vatuvei , who batted the ball back for centre Jerome Ropati to score.

Ironically, his last NRL game, in late 2005, had resulted in a win at Brookvale Oval against the Sea Eagles, although they weren't the premiers back then and he wasn't a 32 -year-old.

"It just felt pretty good, being back in the environment," Jones said.

And he may soon be in that environment from the start. Cleary gave a firm indication that it would not be long before Jones joins the run-on side, with starting No.7 Fien also causing some damage when reverting to hooker yesterday.
"It's going to depend on a lot of things," Cleary said.

"It's going to depend on how the boys pull up. I don't think it's too far away, but I can't say for sure when it's going to happen.

Ad Feedback

"It's just something that'll just evolve. [Yesterday] he came off the bench because he hasn't played 80 minutes for 18 months and had a little injury leading into round one.

"We're just going to have to monitor how he goes because it is a long time out. We'll come up with the best combination we can each week."

While Jones played the "do what's best for the team" card when asked about the prospect of starting, said team was clearly impressed with his return.

"Not bad for a rookie 32-year-old,'' captain Steve Price quipped.

"He comes up with the big plays and he's not scared to try something you know there's a reason for it he's done it a few times before. Everyone's just got to follow."

The Sea Eagles, humbled by the humble, simply couldn't.

"We knew exactly what he was going to do and we knew exactly the plays that he was going to come up with, but we couldn't shut him down,'' coach Des Hasler said.

Jones took the Warriors to the grand final in 2002 and even though they lost that night, to the Roosters, he suggested the current squad is better equipped to win the premiership.

"There's a lot of core leaders in the team,'' Jones said.

"When I was here [last], we probably didn't have those group of leaders."

- © Fairfax NZ News