Stacey Jones and Tony Iro have both been re-signed as Vodafone Warriors NRL assistant coaches to the end of the 2020 season.
Jones was appointed an assistant coach when Stephen Kearney was signed as the club’s new head coach following the 2016 season while Iro rejoined the NRL football staff this year after previously filling the assistant coach’s role with Ivan Cleary, Brian McClennan and Andrew McFadden.
“Stacey and Tony have done a wonderful job in their roles and in challenging the group to constantly improve,” said Kearney.
“They bring tremendous experience with their playing backgrounds and are constantly looking to develop as coaches.
“From a club viewpoint it’s also really important that we have some continuity with our football staff so it’s terrific that we’ve been able to keep Stacey and Tony onboard.”
Jones ended his playing career in 2009 after 261 NRL games for the Vodafone Warriors, 45 Super League appearances for Les Catalans and 46 Tests for the Kiwis. Since then he has come through the system coaching his old club Point Chevalier and in a development role with the Auckland Rugby League before moving into the Vodafone Warriors’ football department in 2012.
In his first year as NYC coach in 2014, Jones guided the Vodafone Junior Warriors to the premiership and then coached the Intrust Super Premiership side to finals football in 2015 and 2016.
Iro has filled a variety of football positions since ending a career boasting 25 Tests for the Kiwis, 184 NRL appearances and 61 games for English clubs Wigan and Leigh.
As well as being an assistant coach with the Vodafone Warriors from 2010-2012, 2015 and now 2018, Iro was the club’s foundation NYC coach in 2008 and 2009.
STACEY JONES |
|
|---|---|
| Born | May 7, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Auckland, NZ |
| Coaching career | |
| Current position | Vodafone Warriors interim assistant coach |
| Previous roles | Vodafone Warriors assistant NRL coach 2017-2020 and 2022; Kiwi assistant coach 2018-2022, Sky Sport Future Warriors pathways coach 2021; Vodafone Warriors NSW Cup coach 2015-2016, Vodafone Junior Warriors NYC coach 2014, Vodafone Warriors junior recruitment and pathways coach 2013, Auckland Rugby League football development officer 2012, Point Chevalier Pirates coach 2010-2011, Vodafone Warriors skills coach 2008 |
| Playing career | |
| Junior clubs | Ponsonby-Maritime, Pt Chevalier (Auckland) |
| NRL career | Vodafone Warriors, 1995-2005, 2009 |
| Club No | 24 |
| NRL debut | Vodafone Warriors v Parramatta, Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, April 23, 1995 (Round 7) |
| NRL career | 261 appearances 1995-2005, 2009 |
| NRL points | 674 (77 tries, 176 goals, 14 field goals) |
| Super League | Les Catalans Dragons 2006-2007 |
| Club No | 7 |
| Super League debut | Les Catalans v Wigan, Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan, February 11, 2006 (Round 1) |
| Super League career | 45 appearances 2006-2007 |
| Super League points | 133 (11 tries, 43 goals, 3 field goals) |
| Kiwi No | 665 |
| Test debut | v Tonga, Warrington, October 8, 1995 (World Cup) |
| Test career | 46 Tests for Kiwis, 1995-2006; 6 Tests as captain 2002 and 2006 |
| Test points | 160 (16 tries, 47 goals, 2 field goals) |
| Awards | National Rugby League Hall of Fame (2019), New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame (2015), New Zealand Rugby League team of the century (2007), Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2006), Vodafone Warriors life membership (2005), Golden Boot Award (2002), New Zealand Player of the Year (1991, 1992, 2002), Vodafone Warriors Player of the Year (1997) |
