League: Little general keen to marshall Kiwis

Stacey Jones

Kiwis talisman Stacey Jones has postponed his plans to retire from international rugby league as the star halfback eyes up the Tri-Nations.

Jones, still hurting from the flogging the under-strength Kiwis received from Great Britain in their one-off test on Wednesday, would like to extract some revenge later this year.

The Catalan Dragons playmaker was expected to hang up his international boots for a second time after playing Great Britain, but the thought of playing in a full-strength Kiwis side has him eager for more.

"We gave it our best but I think it's fair to say Bluey (Kiwis coach Brian McClennan) will have something up his sleeve for the Tri-Nations," the Super League website reported Jones as saying.

"If I can stay fit and injury-free I'll be looking forward to playing in that tournament and it'll be good to have a crack at putting the record straight with maybe a few different guys around me."

Only three Kiwis from the National Rugby League (NRL) were released for the match, won at a canter 46-14 by Great Britain.

Barring injury, the Kiwis' full host of NRL stars including Sonny Bill Williams, Roy Asotasi and Nigel Vagana should be available for the Tri-Nations, to be co-hosted by defending champions New Zealand and Australia from October.

"The scoreline was pretty disappointing and we were always going to be up against it, but it's good for the international game for the Poms to get some practice in," Jones said.

"Australia and New Zealand have the Anzac test, so if we can put up some sort of opposition for Great Britain then it's got to be good for them and good for the game to help set them up for the Tri-Nations later this year.

"They've got some world-class players and they proved that, but we'll play them in our backyard next time and see how we go then."

The Kiwis open their title defence with two games against Australia before hosting Great Britain in Christchurch and Wellington.

"It's not often we get to play Great Britain in our backyard. Of the 16 or so times I've played against them, I think only three have been at home."

Jones said it would be nice to have a couple of chances to play Great Britain with the support of the "passionate" New Zealand crowd.

- NZPA