League: Stacey Jones' diary

There were many enduring images from the Kiwis' immediate celebrations after their historic 24-0 win over Australia last weekend - Brian McClennan's unbridled joy and Ruben Wiki's tears just two of them - but the sight of a starstruck Stacey Jones caught in the proverbial headlights will go down in history.

Having flown around the world in the space of four days for the birth of his third child, Jones fronted up to the TV cameras moments after the final whistle and, exhausted physically and mentally after an arduous week, barely knew what day it was. Despite it all, however, it was hard to contain a smile.

"Today is Friday," Jones said triumphantly this week in between commitments to promote his new book. "I'm almost back to normal."

It has been an incredible month for the Little General, who came out of international retirement to play in the opening two games of the Tri-Nations, only to then answer an SOS from McClennan when Lance Hohaia was invalided out of the tour with an ankle injury.

He'd said he wouldn't play any part in the UK leg of the tour - but he did and was smuggled into the Kiwis camp in the hope of outfoxing Great Britain - and he announced he "definitely" wouldn't play in the final because of the impending birth of his son. Again, he did.

"I guess I just can't say no," Jones explained, despite the countless flights he had to endure over the past month to play for the Kiwis given his commitment to his family and new French Super League club. "Bloody hell," he lets slip, just thinking about those flights.

Perhaps the hardest part of the equation was persuading his wife, Rachelle, to allow him to make a swift exit just hours after William was born last Thursday. "She was a bit apprehensive. She was thinking more about me than the baby but she said, 'if you want to do it, I think you should'. I really wanted to do it."

It's a good job he did, too. The Kiwis were more than a little thin on the ground when it came to halfbacks and he managed to put the jet lag behind him to play a key role in the famous victory.

The result has left him enthused about wearing black and white again next season in what would be a mouthwatering combination with stand-off Benji Marshall. There are no "probably nots" and "maybes" that Jones rattled off with regularity this year as speculation mounted about not only his return to the Kiwis but also his continued involvement.

"I would love to play next year," he declared, uttering the words league fans want to hear. "I'd love to play with Benji because he's a fantastic kid," before adding a cautionary "if I get chosen".

Jones' availability would be a vital ingredient in the Kiwis' chances of keeping Australia from reclaiming their well-worn throne in next year's Tri-Nations. Although he said there's nothing wrong with lapping up the plaudits - "the Aussies certainly do," he added - he pointed to the goal of regularly beating the Kangaroos.

Before he puts his mind to that, however, Jones still has some more flying to do to promote his book. Only after that can he sit back with his new son in one hand and a Lion Red in the other. It will be only a temporary respite, though, considering he's due in France in January to begin his Super League journey.

There's little doubt he will look back on 2005 with fondness, despite a disappointing season with the Warriors and the lengths he went to to play for the Kiwis.

"To do it for your country is all worthwhile," he said before checking the next engagement in his diary.

Don't forget to mark down Australia on May 5, Stacey - the day of the next Anzac test.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY