-
Warriors' Stacey Jones - Source: Getty Images -
Related
New Zealand Warriors legend Stacey Jones has confirmed he will hang up his boots in the National Rugby League at the end of this season.
The 33-year-old halfback, who played his 256th NRL match in the thrilling 32-32 draw with Penrith on Saturday night, declined the club's offer for a one-year contact extension into 2010.
The Warriors indicated several weeks ago that they were keen for Jones to play his 13th NRL season next year but he turned them down earlier this week.
"It was a big decision to come back for this season and I'm really glad I did it," Jones said in a statement.
"From the start I just wanted to do whatever I could to help and to do the best I could.
"While it has been a disappointing season for us in terms of results, I've really enjoyed having another chance to play in the NRL.
"I love this club and it's a great place to be around but I've decided it's the right time for me to move on and let other players come through.
"There's no doubt we've got some exciting prospects in the halves and I certainly think the future is bright. "
Jones, who played 46 tests for the Kiwis from 1995-2006, answered the call from the Warriors to return to the NRL this year after playing for French club Catalans Dragons.
He starred in the Warriors' upset win over Manly in round two but his form has reflected his team's mixed season as they fell from playoff contention.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Jones had provided everything expected of him during the season.
"I can't say enough about what he has done this year," he said.
"We would have loved him to continue because he has so much to offer both as a player and a mentor for the young players around him, not just the halves but everyone in our squad.
"Stacey has given us exactly what we wanted from him this year and I have no doubt he could have gone on another season if he wanted to and help our side grow.
"Some of the criticism he has endured has been really disappointing. He hasn't deserved it at all. He's certainly not to blame for the way we've performed this year. "
Cleary hoped Jones would stay involved with the club in some form next year.
Jones, the only one of the club's 1995 foundation players still
performing at top level, has missed just one match so far this year
- the season-opener against Parramatta - and has built on the club
records he already owned.
While his number of appearances grew from 238 to 256 after last
night's game against Penrith, he had scored two tries to take his
club record tally to 77, well clear of second-ranked Francis Meli's
60 tries.
He has also kicked two field goals to lift that mark to 14 (from a
total of only 23 in the club's history) and his overall points haul
now sits at 670, with Cleary's 439 second best.
