League: Stacey Jones set for return

Kiwis league coach Brian McClennan is expecting to welcome back Stacey Jones for next month's test against Great Britain while Thomas Leuluai is almost certain to be ruled out.

McClennan told NewstalkZB the veteran halfback was expected to return soon from a broken arm for his Catalans Dragons club in the British Super League.

He was confident Jones would be available for the June 27 test in St Helens, bringing a wealth of experience and providing a boost to the team's kicking game.

Jones had a metal rod inserted into his broken arm on February 20 and was given an initial stand-down period of six to eight weeks, but is yet to return to the field for his struggling club.

The news was worse for halfback Leuluai who left the field with a hamstring injury during the 12-50 loss to the Kangaroos in Brisbane on Friday.

It has been diagnosed as a torn hamstring, meaning six to eight weeks on the sidelines.

"It's a pretty bad injury," Leuluai's Harlequins coach Tony Rea told the BBC website.

The Kiwis team for next month's test will almost entirely be made up of British-based players, with McClennan thinking it unlikely any National Rugby League players would be available.

- NZPA