Stacey Jones takes reins at New Zealand Warriors after Nathan Brown exit

Kiwi legend Stacey Jones has taken over the coaching reins at New Zealand Warriors after the NRL club announced the departure of head coach Nathan Brown.

Brown notified the Warriors that he didn’t wish to relocate to New Zealand for the long-term as originally planned.

The Warriors have announced the immediate exit of Brown. New Zealand legend Jones will take over the head coaching role for the rest of the 2022 season.

The club’s decision leaves Jones in charge for the last 11 rounds of the campaign, starting with Sunday’s game against Cronulla Sharks.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George said: “Nathan told us he had made a personal decision that for family reasons he wouldn’t be able to relocate to New Zealand as originally planned for the long-term.

“We fully appreciate his position and the call he has made.

“Given those circumstances we agreed we needed to make an immediate change.

“It’s tough for everyone involved but, in the best interests of the club, we felt we had to go in a different direction now.

“Nathan has worked so hard for our club and we are extremely disappointed it has come to this. We’re truly grateful for what he has done. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

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Auckland-born Jones, 46, played 261 games in the NRL with the Warriors between 1995-2005 and then again in 2009 following two seasons with Catalans Dragons in Super League.

He has taken over head coaching duties on an interim basis whilst George works with owner Mark Robinson to appoint a new head coach.

George said: “Stacey’s love of the club and knowledge of it is unparalleled. He has been on the inside of it for close to 25 years.

“We’ll be giving him, staff and players all the support possible for the rest of the season.”

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