KEY POINTS:
New Zealand rugby league legend Stacey Jones, currently playing for French club Catalans Dragons, announced today he will retire from the game at the end of the European season.
Jones, 31, signed a new 12-month contract earlier this year but decided to hang up his boots after next
week's final match of the Super League season, the club announced today.
"I have decided to finish my football career at the end of the season," Jones said today.
"I had a couple of bad injuries during the last two seasons and I think my body has had enough.
"My on-field performance was up and down this year and I think it is the best solution for the team."
The news is a major blow to the Dragons, this year's English Challenge Cup runners-up who have come to rely on the leadership, tactical kicking and ball-playing skills of their midfield maestro.
Jones sat out the opening month of this season with a knee injury but he has played the last 26 league and cup matches, including last month's historic Wembley final.
"I prefer to quit at the end of the season than retiring after two or three games into 2008 which will not be fair for the team, which will be even better next year.
"It was a difficult decision to take and I will miss the place. I had two wonderful years with the Catalans Dragons and being at Wembley was a dream.
"I want to thank the club and all the fans who have been so good for me and my family. I have no concrete options for my future and I will take my time to take the right decision."
Jones had played his entire club career in New Zealand with the Warriors before joining the Catalans for their first season in Super League in 2006.
He will make his penultimate appearance for the Dragons at Bradford on Sunday and bow out in the club's home match against Harlequins next Saturday.
Catalans coach Mick Potter said: "Stacey has helped to build the club during his two seasons with Catalans Dragons.
"He has always been a champion and did not want to let down his level of performance.
"It is probably the toughest decision he has made in his life but Stacey has been one of the greatest rugby league ambassadors all over the world."
Jones, popularly known as "The Little General" won the Golden Boot - the award given to the player who the rugby league press considered to have been the best international player for that year - in 2002.
When he left the Warriors in 2005, he had played the most (238) National Rugby League games for the club and scored and most tries (75).
He was the last foundation member of the Warriors to leave the club.
After the 2006 Tri-Nations final, Jones retired from international football.
- NZPA
- NZPA
