League: 'My biggest week' admits exhilarated Jones

New Zealand rugby league halfback Stacey Jones reckons he will never experience a week like this one.

The Kiwis great confirmed today he will play in Sunday morning's (NZ time) Tri-Nations final against Australia in Leeds, little more than two days after being present in Auckland for the birth of his third child.

"I'm pretty excited about going back and I'm pretty excited about tomorrow having a new family member. It's all go," Jones told Radio Sport.

Jones' wife Rachelle was to have the child by caesarean section tomorrow afternoon and the veteran No 7 will board a flight to London later that evening.

He was to arrive with the Kiwis squad on Friday morning British time, 36 hours out from the final, allowing him one training run with his team-mates.

Jones said wrenching himself away from his family would be difficult but was clear on his motivation.

"I'm only going back to win, not just to play. I wouldn't be wasting my time if I thought that we couldn't really have a good crack at it," Jones said.

"That's what this team has been about from the start of the campaign, giving their best and going for it.

"We're focused and we really want to win this tournament. It's something that New Zealand rugby league would love to have.

"We haven't won a series for a long time. In years to come, to say you were part of that team would be really special."

Jones came out of retirement to play for the Kiwis in the opening two games of the series against Australia, with the intention of then linking permanently with his French Super League club Les Catalans.

However, he has continually turned out for the national team since, including last weekend's win over France in Toulouse.

"At the start I only committed to two games. I'm a bit hopeless like that, if people ask me to do something I agree to it," he said.

"With Lance (Hohaia) being injured and the position they're in made it a bit easier.

"The guys have really welcomed me into the team after having a couple of years out. They've been really supportive about me being able to go to France and come back and then to prepare for a game like this without being with them."

Jones hoped he would sleep well on the flight, having felt jaded since flying home earlier this week soon after the Kiwis' win over France on Saturday morning (NZ time).

"I've only been home for a couple of days so my body clock is still in their time," he said.

- NZPA