league : JONES SET TO PLAY FOR VODAFONE WARRIORS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2005

Multiple record-holding Vodafone Warriors halfback Stacey Jones is poised to play for the club for the first time in 1265 days next Thursday night.
The 32-year-old ended an 11-year 238-game stint with the club by scoring a match-winning try with the last touch of the Vodafone Warriors’ outing against Manly on August 27, 2005.
Now, after spending the 2006-07 seasons with Les Catalans in the English Super League and sitting out last year, Jones is set to play in the Vodafone Warriors’ opening 2009 NRL trial against the Melbourne Storm at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday (February 12).
Jones, who worked for the club as a kicking coach in 2008, announced on November 7 that he had signed a one-year deal to return for a 12th season with the Vodafone Warriors. He has been training with the NRL squad throughout its off-season and preseason programme.
While coach Ivan Cleary won’t confirm his line-up for the trial until later next week, the signs are Jones will be involved in the first of three preseason matches. He has been named in a large squad of players to be considered for selection.
“There are still a few factors we have to take into account but we will go into the Melbourne trial with the best side available,” he said.
“While there are some players who won’t be able to play in this game for various reasons, we’ll be taking our entire group of NRL players to Hamilton.”
With Jones eyeing his playing return with his only NRL club, new signings Denan Kemp (Brisbane), Joel Moon (Brisbane) and Liam Foran (Melbourne) are all set to play for the Vodafone Warriors for the first time next week.
Another of the Vodafone Warriors’ major signings ex-North Queensland forward Jacob Lillyman will miss the Hamilton trial, although he’s back in full training after shoulder surgery and is making good progress.
Also not being considered for the Melbourne clash are World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Evarn Tuimavave (neck), Michael Witt (quadricep) and new hooker Lewis Brown (hand). Along with Lillyman, they’re expected to be considered for the Vodafone Warriors’ other two trials against North Queensland at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday, February 22 and Gold Coast in Lismore on February 28.
A homecoming awaits Kiwi World Cup winners Lance Hohaia and Sam Rapira. Huntly-raised Hohaia went to school at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton while Rapira is a Hamilton Boys’ High School ex-pupil. Also in the squad is halfback Isaac John (20), a Tokoroa product who impressed at halfback for the Vodafone Junior Warriors in their successful NYC campaign last year.
There’ll be another Waikato connection on Thursday with Wairangi Koopu expected to play his first match for the Melbourne Storm after ending his 159-game career with the Vodafone Warriors last season. Koopu (28) was educated at Rakaumanga School and started his football career with Taniwharau in Huntly.
The Vodafone Warriors’ clash against Melbourne kicks off at 7.30pm, preceded by the Vodafone Junior Warriors having an NYC hit-out against a Waikato Selection starting at 5.30pm.
Go to www.warriors.co.nz for all ticketing information and other details.


The Vodafone Warriors’ side for the trial against Melbourne will be selected from: Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Ah Van, Nathan Fien, Liam Foran, Ian Henderson, Aaron Heremaia, Lance Hohaia, Isaac John, Stacey Jones, Denan Kemp, Aidan Kirk, Epalahame Lauaki, Kevin Locke, Micheal Luck, Wade McKinnon, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Joel Moon, Daniel O’Regan, Russell Packer, Mataupu Poching, Steve Price, Sam Rapira, Herman Retzlaff, Jerome Ropati, Malo Solomona, Ukuma Ta’ai, Brent Tate, Elijah Taylor, Manu Vatuvei.

The Vodafone Warriors’ full trials programme for NRL, NYC and development squads (subject to change) is:

Saturday, February 7 - Kaitaia
Warriors Development v Northland (5.00pm kick-off)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 – WAIKATO STADIUM, HAMILTON
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Waikato Invitation XIII (5.30pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Melbourne Storm (7.30pm kick-off)

Saturday, February 14 – Tremain Field, Napier
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Hawkes Bay (2.00pm kick-off)

Sunday, February 15 – Murray Halberg Park, Mt Albert
Warriors Development v Marist (2.30pm kick-off)

Saturday, February 21 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Welltec (2.30pm kick-off)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, ALBANY
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Auckland Vulcans (2.15pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys (4.00pm kick-off)

Saturday, February 28 – Venue TBC
Vodafone Warriors Selection (NRL/NYC players not travelling to Gold Coast) v Auckland Vulcans (kick-off TBC)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – OAKES OVAL, LISMORE
Vodafone Junior Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (3.50pm kick-off)
Vodafone Warriors v Gold Coast Titans (7.30pm kick-off)

Sunday, March 1 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Mt Albert (2.30pm kick-off)

Wednesday, March 4 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v New Zealand Rugby League Academy (5.00pm kick-off)

Saturday, March 7 – Cornwall Park, Auckland
Warriors Development v Richmond (2.30pm kick-off)