Rugby league great Stacey Jones has today been appointed as New Zealand Kiwis head coach to the end of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The much-decorated 47-year-old Jones moves into the role after serving as an assistant coach with the Kiwis since 2018 while he is now in his eighth season as an assistant coach with One New Zealand Warriors in NRL.

“We’re delighted to be appointing an absolute legend of the game to coach the Kiwis,” said NZRL CEO Greg Peters.

“Stacey has served a lengthy apprenticeship with the Warriors and has also been with us as a long-term assistant coach with the Kiwis.

“It’s personally pleasing to see him rewarded with this appointment.

“Not only is he an outstanding individual with a deep knowledge and understanding of ‘The Kiwi Way’, he is a technically astute coach who understands what it takes to operate at the top international level.

“We are grateful to the Warriors for supporting his appointment and allowing him the time to do it.

“We are also excited about the opportunity this appointment provides to bring the game closer together in New Zealand by strengthening the connection with the Warriors.”

Following his glittering playing career, Jones transitioned quickly into coaching with a number of roles with the Warriors.

“This is a huge honour for me,” said Jones.

“It was a special privilege to play for my country and to now have the chance to coach the Kiwis is both exciting and humbling.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the Kiwis over the last few years and seeing the team develop under Madge (Michael Maguire). I’ve learnt so much being involved with such a special group of players.

“I’m hugely grateful to the Warriors for the coaching opportunities they’ve given me to put me in this position and for the way they supported me in my bid for this role wth the Kiwis while continuing to work at the club.”

During his playing career Jones played more than 350 games at the highest level.

He captained the Kiwis and played a total of 46 Tests while he amassed 261 NRL appearances for the Warriors and a further 45 games for Les Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

Awarded the ONZM for services to rugby league, he won the Golden Boot in 2002, was inducted into the NZRL Legends of League, included in the NZRL Team of the Century and has also been inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and the NRL Hall of Fame.

 

 

STACEY JONES

 

Born: May 7, 1976

Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand

Coaching Career:

New Zealand Kiwis assistant coach 2018-2023

One New Zealand Warriors NRL assistant coach 2017-2024

Māori All Stars head coach 2019

One New Zealand Warriors New South Wales Cup head coach 2015-2016

One New Zealand Warriors NYC head coach 2014

One New Zealand Warriors junior recruitment and pathways coach 2013

Auckland Rugby League football development officer 2012

Point Chevalier Pirates coach 2010-2011

One New Zealand Warriors NRL skills coach 2008

Playing Career:

International: 46 Tests for Kiwis 1995-2006

NRL: 261 appearances for One New Zealand Warriors 1995-2005 & 2009

Super League: 45 appearances for Les Catalans 2006-2007

The New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) can now confirm that Michael Maguire has been appointed to lead the Kiwis as Head Coach going forward.

In addition to this, the NZRL is also proud to announce that major sponsor Pirtek have extended their sponsorship of the Kiwis for the next four years including the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

General Manager of Pirtek New Zealand, Chris Bourke was pleased to build on their decade long partnership with New Zealand Rugby League and said he “couldn’t wait to see what Michael Maguire has in store for the Kiwis.”

After a stringent application process conducted by the high-powered coach selection panel and chaired by Kiwi great Dean Bell, the NZRL Board finalised the appointment of Maguire earlier this week based on the panel’s recommendations. Bell was joined by Frank Endacott, Monty Betham and Waimarama Taumaunu who are confident that Maguire is the best person for the job.

“It was great to see Michael Maguire put his hand up for the role. The high calibre of applicants we had shows that top coaches can see the Kiwis’ potential and the prestige that comes with international rugby league,” Bell said.

When asked what the drawcard was, Maguire was full of excitement at the prospect of helping to foster a winning culture within the Kiwis camp.

“New Zealand already supplies a lot of the top talent in the National Rugby League (NRL) and English Super League (ESL) and they’ve got the biggest nursery as well as the most vocal, passionate and knowledgeable fans.

“Pride in that jersey isn’t just for players, it’s for the whole of New Zealand. That’s the task facing us all at the refreshed NZRL. I’m really excited to join Reon and the team to help build a winning culture that brings New Zealand back to the top of the rugby league world.

“2017 may not have gone in favour of the Kiwis but the beauty of that, is the opportunity to reflect and reset. My full focus now is on the Kiwis and what we can do to build processes that manifest success which is centred around the respect for the black and white jersey,” Maguire said.

His attention to detail and expertise in the high performance space caught the eyes of the Coach Selection panel, Dean Bell said.

“The panel were very impressed with the thought and detail that went into his presentation. He demonstrated thorough plans on how he would prepare for the Test matches this year and what needed to be done in preparation for the World Cup in 2021.

“His obvious football knowledge was complemented by his passion for the game and the fact that he had quickly created premiership winning sides in both hemispheres also impressed the panel.

“He also displayed a sincere belief that he can consistently get our Kiwi players playing to their potential through his high performance coaching knowledge and instilling a genuine pride in pulling on the black jersey,” Bell added.

A key recommendation of the post 2017 World Cup review was that there should be more transparency and rigour around various appointments and NZRL Acting CEO, Hugh Martyn believes the panel’s input was integral to following through on this.

“Based on the Castle review’s recommendation, the Kiwis Head Coach eligibility criteria was updated to include overseas applicants.

“This means that wherever they come from, we are able to ensure the best person for the position is appointed and in this case, with an NRL Premiership and Super League title under his belt, Maguire was the right fit.

“NZRL is in a great position now compared to where it was a few months ago so it’s important that we maintain this forward momentum and continue to make improvements,” he said.

In the coming weeks, Maguire will work with the Player Selection Panel which includes Tawera Nikau, Hugh McGahan and Mark Horo, to work through selection criteria.

BIO

– Head Coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2012 to 2017 winning the NRL Premiership in 2014
– Head Coach of the Wigan Warriors from 2010-2011 winning the 2010 Super League Grand Final and 2011 Challenge Cup
– Played for the Canberra Raiders from 1992 to 1996 and again in 1998 after a stint with the Adelaide Rams

NOTES:

– Pirtek is a trusted Hydraulic & Industrial hose specialist with a large footprint across New Zealand backed up by over 45 mobile service units to support customers’ maintenance & breakdown needs when and where they need it
– As a long-time supporter and in addition to being the main sponsor of the Kiwis, Pirtek has assisted the NZRL at a local level through their centres to recognise key people and volunteers within the rugby league community
– For more information on Pirtek’s partnership with NZRL, click here