3 minute read
Often regarded the greatest Kiwi player of his generation, Stacey Jones begins his tenure as New Zealand head coach in the clash against Australia.
James Fisher-Harris believes little has changed for New Zealand despite head coach Stacey Jones headlining the list of new appointments for the Kiwis' Pacific Championships campaign.
Sunday's clash against Australia in Christchurch will be Jones' first since being hired to the top job after years as a world No.2 assistant.
Injuries have led the former Warriors half to name five debutants for the rematch of last year's Pacific Cup final, with Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown and Moses Leota among the stars unavailable.
So dire is the Kiwis' injury situation that Jones has called star halfback Shaun Johnson out of retirement for the series, some five years after he last represented his country.
Keano Kini, Phoenix Crossland, Naufahu Whyte, Will Warbrick and Jordan Riki will all make their debuts as New Zealand look to back up the shock 30-0 win they pulled on Australia in Michael Maguire's final game at the helm.
Trent Toelau, Casey McLean and Erin Clark are other new faces named in the extended squad, but captain Fisher-Harris felt it had been business as usual during the first week of Kiwis camp.
"It's not much change, to be honest," the prop said.
"We set up a pretty good blueprint last year but then again we've been building on that for a long time now. Just hoping to keep building."
The Kiwis job is Jones' first full-time head-coaching role but the 48-year-old was briefly interim coach at the Warriors after Nathan Brown's departure midway through the 2022 season.
Fisher-Harris said Jones, often regarded the greatest Kiwi player of his generation, had transitioned smoothly into his new job.
"He's been really good, especially with the leaders and how we want to go about things," Fisher-Harris said.
"I've known 'Stace' for a while now. We get on pretty good. We're heading in a good direction."
Sunday marks Fisher-Harris' first game on home soil since leaving all-conquering Penrith to join the Warriors on a four-year deal from 2025.
The four-time premiership winner said New Zealanders had welcomed him back with open arms at Tuesday's fan day.
"There's a lot of Warriors fans trying to tell me to say 'Up The Wahs'. But it's Kiwis for now and I'm just going to enjoy this camp," he said.