League: Jones ready to fire for the Kiwis

Stacey Jones is back in the Kiwis - not selected yet, but he will be when the team for the Tri-Nations games in Auckland and Sydney are announced.

It's the first time the 34-test veteran has been available since 2003.

Warriors captain Steve Price still has a chance to force his way into the Kangaroos after being named yesterday in a President's XIII to play Papua New Guinea mid-month, with the Aussie selectors making it clear they might want to look at some of the squad for the 23-man Tri-Nations squad.

And the Warriors yesterday began their rebuild towards next season with the appointment of the North Harbour general manager, Wayne Scurrah, as chief executive, replacing Mick Watson.

Jones will be welcomed into a Kiwis side that is struggling for halves because of injury.

The selectors are expected to start naming players next Wednesday, with more names added as teams drop out of the NRL finals.

Parramatta's captain, Nathan Cayless, looks sure to join Jones for the two games Downunder - on the 15th and 21st of October - after he made himself unavailable for the tour to England, so he can be with his wife who is expecting.

The good news for coach Brian McClennan is that he can bolster the ranks with Super League players once the team gets to Britain.

Cullen Sports chairman Maurice Kidd was the only one of the club's board at the announcement yesterday that 45-year-old Scurrah will take over the financial reins from October 31.

Scurrah has some acquaintance with the game through the hosting of international league matches and tournaments and Bartercard Cup fixtures for North Harbour and Hibiscus Coast. He played in schoolboy grades at Pt Chevalier, Mt Albert, Bay Roskill and Ponsonby.

When Scurrah was asked what he knew about league given he would be making decisions on the coaching staff and playing roster, Kidd intervened to say the chief executive's role would be to support the football team and manage the finances.

Scurrah said he saw his role as managing the club, taking commercial responsibility, making the best resources available, developing the culture of the Warriors so that up-and-coming players made it their first choice: "My job is not to coach the team".

Scurrah will have to prove himself to more than the board, given the widespread concern in league circles at the lack of connection the club management has with the local game. Business people who have had dealings with him suggested he was a smart operator who would be good for the club.

Kidd said the review of the coaching staff and team performance would be completed within a week.

Squads

Kangaroos train-on squad: Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Minichiello, Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters), Joel Clinton, Craig Gower, Luke Lewis, Luke Rooney, Trent Waterhouse, Steve Price (NZ Warriors), Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs), Danny Buderus, Andrew Johns, Steve Simpson (Newcastle).

Prime Minister's XIII to Papua New Guinea: Clinton Schifcofske, Amos Roberts, Ryan Cross, Reni Maitua, Shannon Hegarty, Braith Anasta, Brett Finch, Ben Ross, Luke Priddis, Steve Price, Luke Ricketson (c), Clint Newton, Ashley Harrison, Kurt Gidley, John Sutton, Chris Flannery, Anthony Tupou.