You could be forgiven for thinking Stacey Jones has something against Great Britain.
His inspirational performances for New Zealand in last year's Tri-Nations helped bring an early end to the Lions' hopes.
And now the "Little General" looks ready to dish out a season's worth of grief for British rugby league fans at club level.
Jones made his debut for Catalans Dragons at the weekend, and played a pivotal role in the French side's 38-30 win over Wigan in their first ever Super League game.
The 29-year-old lived up to his nickname as he used all his experience to maximum effect, directing his team-mates around the Aime Giral pitch with all the assurance of the current international player of the year.
He arrived in Perpignan after a decade as the heartbeat of the New Zealand Warriors side that upheld Kiwi pride in Australia's NRL, reaching the Grand Final in 2001.
"The reason I came to France was to not have any pressure on me and just enjoy my football," Jones told BBC Sport.
"There was always a lot of pressure in New Zealand, but here I'm keen to just enjoy myself as much as I can.
"I've been in New Zealand all my life and, being honest, I'm coming to the back end of my career so I'll probably never get another opportunity like this.
"The option came for me to come to France and I had a good think about it and decided it would be a good move - not just for me, but for my family as well."
Jones has had to cope with all the usual trials of a sportsman moving a new country, and admitted he is far from a natural when it comes to picking up the French language.
"I'm slowly getting there," said Jones.
 |  I'd love to play for New Zealand again but your club is very important |
"It's difficult because moving to a new country means you're so busy with everything else so there's not a lot of time to learn. I've not had any formal lessons, but it's coming.
"There's quite a few guys who are fluent in English and they help out a lot. I'm just trying to pick up the footy slang at the minute, then I'll start on the swearing!"
Jones said another key attraction of his move to France was the style of play in Super League.
"I think the competition is very strong - the game is probably a lot faster than the NRL," he said.
"The NRL is so focused on defence and slowing your opponent's ball down, while the British game is more a case of making a tackle and getting off fairly quickly.
"That means that teams that get on an attacking roll on are pretty hard to stop - that suits me just fine."
Jones came out of international retirement to play in last year's Tri-Nations and has left his options open for next year's tournament, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand, although hinted he was favouring a return to retirement.
"(Coach) Brian McClennan asked me if I wanted to play again and I said it's very difficult to play for New Zealand down there when I'm playing up here," said Jones.
"But I said I'll assess things at the end of the year. I'd love to play for New Zealand again but your club is very important. They pay our wages and we have to make sure their interests are put first, especially when my body isn't getting any younger.
"Winning the Tri-Nations was a great occasion. It's something that was just terrific to be a part of and I will always remember it.
"But now it's time to move on and get on with what's going on in France."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
