By Phil Harlow
BBC Sport at Loftus Road |
Great Britain's players will be glad to see the back of New Zealand scrum-half Stacey Jones.
When the teams meet again on 12 November, the Kiwis will be without their "Little General" after the 29-year-old half-back confirmed he would take no further part in this year's Tri-Nations.
Some of the more open-minded British fans may rue missing the chance to see the imperious Jones strut his stuff.
But as far as Jamie Peacock and his team-mates are concerned, his absence will be a blessed relief.
Coming out of international retirement to play in New Zealand's last three Tests, Jones has been instrumental in taking them to the top of the Tri-Nations table.
He gave a virtuoso display in Saturday's win over Great Britain, with his vision, quality of passing and kicking game keeping a misfiring Lions side firmly on the back foot.
Asked if the 42-26 win was really his last international, Jones seemed to leave the door open for a possible return.
 |  I'm not playing again in this series, so that's that |
"I'm not too sure, probably. I mean I'm not playing again in this series so that's that," he replied.
"This is my last game for this series and we'll just see what happens next year."
Lance Hohaia, who has overcome an ankle injury, and new Huddersfield signing Robbie Paul will have to pick up the slack for New Zealand in the short-term.
But Jones said he is confident the team can push on in the Tri-Nations.
"The boys have enough strength in depth to cope without me, definitely," he said.
"Lance will be back. He's chomping at the bit to get back out there and he'll do a fine job."
Jones' more immediate concerns are the imminent birth of a baby boy in Auckland on 24 November and his new club, Super League newcomers Les Catalans.
 Jones ran the game for New Zealand |
"I've got a big challenge coming up going to France so I'm just looking forward to that," said the former New Zealand Warriors player.
Winner of the Golden Boot in 2002, Jones' sharp rugby brain and broad range of skills hold him in high esteem throughout the rugby league world.
"He's probably the main difference between what they played like last year and the great stuff they're playing now," Great Britain's Paul Johnson told BBC Sport.
"His skills give them extra dimensions. Last year they were always trying to power through and over you, but this year they are a lot more sophisticated."
Lions team-mate Rob Burrow is similarly impressed with Jones, saying: "He's everything for them and is certainly their go-to player.
"He's sheer quality, just an awesome talent who commands so much respect from everyone around him."
How the Kiwis cope without their "Little General" will make interesting watching.
MMIX
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