NRL: Warriors call for big Stacey sendoff

Warriors halfback Stacey Jones is playing his final NRL match on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - A stirring National Rugby League (NRL) farewell for Stacey Jones on Saturday is all that remains for the New Zealand Warriors after they couldn't spoil Hazem El Masri's party yesterday.

The Warriors return to Auckland after a 20-40 defeat to new NRL leaders the Bulldogs, with centre Jerome Ropati (shoulder) and hooker Aaron Heremaia (ribs) in doubt for their final match against the Melbourne Storm.

After 41,835 fans poured into ANZ Stadium to farewell 314-match, 2400-point veteran El Masri in his final regular season home game, the Warriors hope Jones can receive a fitting goodbye at Mt Smart Stadium.

The little general will make his 261st and final NRL appearance after deciding against extending his contract for another year.

The Bulldogs paid tribute to Jones for his final NRL match in Australia yesterday amid the plaudits for El Masri.

"Stacey's been a legend of the game, not only in New Zealand. I don't know of there's anyone bigger in New Zealand rugby league and we'd certainly like to send him out on a good note and give one last effort for our loyal fans who've stuck with us through a tough year," coach Ivan Cleary said.

Cleary marvelled at yesterday's turnout for El Masri, who kicked eight goals from eight, while the Warriors suffered their 14th loss of an awful season which promised so much.

"We used the atmosphere as something to look forward to. We're not going to play finals this year so today at a big arena and a big crowd was a bit of an occasion, we had the idea of making it our occasion.

"It was pretty special... a good story for the game in a year when there's been a lot of bad ones."

Cleary was at least happy the Warriors didn't throw in the towel after they trailed 4-28 at halftime without three of their best players; captain Steve Price (eye), second-rower Simon Mannering (knee) and winger Kevin Locke (hamstring).

Winger Manu Vatuvei scored his 12th and 13th tries of the season while prop Sam Rapira was the Warriors' best, scoring a late double after he set up Vatuvei's first.

With the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks both suffering defeats, the Warriors are safely out of wooden spoon territory and can finish no lower than 14th, while the Storm need a win to remain in the top-four.

"It's a big occasion for us at home and hopefully we get a big crowd and give Jones the sendoff he deserves," captain Micheal Luck said.

"He's been great for the game for a long time and he deserves every accolade he gets. We've got to play well to send him out on a good note."

Meanwhile the Bulldogs will sweat on scans on their key playmaker Brett Kimmorley who suffered a fractured eye socket in a head clash with Ropati.

The Bulldogs hadn't given up hope of Kimmorley being back for the finals, pending the scan results.

- NZPA