Kiwis legend joins the fold
Head coach Maguire brings Jones in as assistant to help with build-up for test season
Former New Zealand test great Stacey Jones will join the Kiwis as an assistant to head coach Michael Maguire for their upcoming test against Australia and three-test end of year tour of England.
The 42-year-old Warriors assistant coach will help the national side prepare for the October 13 clash against the Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium as they continue to rebuild following the retirement and unavailability of several experienced players.
Fellow Kiwis assistant Nathan Cayless will also be on hand for the Auckland test but won’t travel to England, with discussions continuing for him to join Jones as an assistant to Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney next year.
Jones’ appointment comes after he came close to accepting an offer to assist former Kiwis coach David Kidwell throughout last year’s disastrous World Cup campaign.
The 46-test veteran was keen to take the job but the move was blocked by the Warriors who required his presence and input dur- ing pre-season training last November.
Maguire is pleased to have the former Golden Boot winner (2002) join his staff and hopes both Jones and Cayless’ involvement with the Kiwis will enhance their coaching ability and have benefits for the local game long-term.
“Nathan is going to be there for the first test and Stacey’s coming on board as well,” said Maguire.
“I’m keen to develop coaches here and it’s not just about development, it’s about them getting the experiences to go on and become better coaches. But you get that through experience and it’s about giving those men an experience to be able to come away with the side.
“Over time I’d like those two guys to go back and help educate coaches and help the development of New Zealand kids.
“They’ll be very hands-on in the areas of obviously training and the detail of what we do on tour.”
Maguire believes Jones’ experience as both a player and coach and his revered status as one of the best to wear the black and white jersey will only help the Kiwis as they look to put a halt to a three-test losing run.
Following back-to-back World Cup defeats to Tonga and Fiji last November, Maguire’s first test in charge saw him take away an understrength squad that lost the mid-season test against England in Denver.
“To have guys like [Jones] that have been there and experienced what success looks like on a tour, that’s obviously what we’re trying to develop every single day when we’re together as a group,” he said.
“I’m big on the character of the player and the values that we uphold and that’s something that I know Stacey and the boys are very keen on making sure that they get behind.”
The Kiwis haven’t beaten Australia since the 2015 Anzac test and are going through a changing of the guard after the international retirements of forwards Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Russell Packer.
Injuries to other senior players such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Issac Luke and Kieran Foran mean they are further down on talent and experience, while second-rower Tohu Harris is also in doubt after recently undergoing twin knee operations.
A lot of responsibility will again fall on halfback Shaun Johnson and Maguire is excited to begin working with the 28-year-old 25-test veteran.
“He has a really great opportunity to really step up and take control of the team itself,” said Maguire.
“We’re working through who will be his partner there in halves but everyone understands what Shaun is capable of and he himself wants to build upon his consistency as to how he does that.
“I’ve had some really good discussions with him and am really looking forward to working with him.”
The Kiwis were due to play a oneoff test against France at the end of their UK tour but that match has been scratched from their itinerary.