NRL: Captain's kicking decision has Warriors fans confused

Stacey Jones is embraced by teammates as they celebrate his drop goal. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Those watching the Warriors-Roosters wind down the extra-time clock of the first golden-point game in the NRL this season were confused why it was Nathan Fien who took the first field goal attempt and not Stacey
Jones.

Asked why that was after the dramatic 17-16 win that came midway through the first five minutes of overtime, skipper Steve Price smiled, shook his head and said "This is a bit embarrassing. It wasn't until we got into the huddle for golden point that I realised it was extra time. There wasn't enough oxygen getting to the brain."

The Warriors didn't set up properly for the first attempt at goal by Fien, in the 78th minute.

Price revealed that he also believed the team were already even with the Roosters 16-all when he sent Denan Kemp up to take a penalty shot with four minutes remaining and, when the ball split the posts, that they were in front. Asked what he thought about that decision at the time, coach Ivan Cleary answered with hindsight: "I thought it was great."

The Roosters scored all their points in the first half, the Warriors all theirs in the second and it was Jones who engineered the comeback for them, running a double-around to create an extra man and score himself at 52 minutes, reversing a right-hand attack to send a left-field kick to centre Jerome Ropati for try two at 60 minutes, dropping another kick for left wing Manu Vatuvei to score at 69 minutes then snapping the winning field goal.

He can get better, he said.

"Ivan really got into us at half-time and deservedly so. We were pushing the ball, making silly errors."

His fitness was good, he said, but his speed off the mark could improve as could his decision-making.

Rumour has the Kiwis selectors watching Jones with keen interest, the suggestion being continued good form will have coach Stephen Kearney appealing to him to make an international comeback for the Anzac test next month, more than three years since his last test.

Jones said after yesterday's fine performance that his test days were done. Then he added that he hadn't thought about it, that he had to concentrate on club form first.

So, doesn't that leave a small gap open?

"No, no, no," the veteran halfback said as he hurried off to the showers.