Stacey Jones

Stacey Jones

Stacey William Jones, ONZM (born 7 May 1976 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield. His usual position is at halfback, but he has also briefly played at five-eighth during his distinguished career, which includes 46 Tests for New Zealand (1995–2006). Stacey Jones is the first and only life member of the New Zealand Warriors club whose records for most appearances, tries and points he held at the time of his retirement.

Jones' vision and ability to control the game when his team was on attack earned him the sobriquet "the little general", a reference also to his small stature in comparison to that of most rugby league players. Jones was often able to find players with a high bombing kick at either sides of the field or place a sneaky through ball for oncoming players to pounce on.

He's the epitome of a New Zealand champion.

— New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Jones, 2005