8 Nov 2008

Jones return backed by Australian rugby league greats

7:35 am on 8 November 2008

The Australian rugby league halfback Johnathan Thurston and former Kangaroos captain Gorden Tallis have endorsed Stacey Jones's shock decision to come out of retirement and play for the Warriors next season.

Jones retired in 2005 after 238 NRL games with the Warriors and 46 Tests for the Kiwis.

Thurston says Jones is a quality player and will bring direction to the Warriors in the wake of Rueben Wiki's retirement.

Tallis, who says most players wished they could play forever, backs the comeback.

He says the Warriors have struggled a times with getting the ball in the right place at the right time and Jones can really help in this area.