Albert-Jones: Ron's a coach who genuinely cares

NRLW premiership-winning second rower Laishon Albert-Jones will be reunited with the One New Zealand Warriors for their return to the competition in 2025.

The 26-year-old Newcastle Knights forward has been secured for 2025 and 2026 with a mutual option for 2027.

It paves the way for the Auckland-born niece of the legendary Stacey Jones to rejoin the club as a player after having a role as a Warriors Community Foundation coordinator before linking with the Knights last season.

The three-Test Kiwi Fern has been in outstanding form for the Knights this season, being named one of the club’s four contenders for the 2024 Players’ Champion award.

“Laishon is an international player who is adept in many positions and will bring a wealth of experience having already won an NRLW premiership,” said new One New Zealand Warriors head coach Ronald Griffiths.

“When Laishon signed her first NRLW contract she was adamant that she wanted only a two-year contract so when the Warriors came back into the competition she could return home.

“This has now come to fruition, what a marvellous moment for Laishon and for the Warriors.”

When Laishon signed her first NRLW contract she was adamant that she wanted only a two-year contract so when the Warriors came back into the competition she could return home

Ronald Griffiths One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach

Albert-Jones, a Point Chevalier Pirates junior, has appeared in all but one of the Knights’ 19 matches since joining the club.

Not only will she return home but she’ll also be reunited with Griffiths, who brought her into the Newcastle squad last year as the club went on to win the minor premiership for the first time and then the grand final for the second consecutive season.

Being part of the team as we make our return to the NRLW means everything especially knowing the potential we have to lift women’s rugby league back home

Laishon Albert-Jones One New Zealand Warriors NRLW signing

“Signing with the Warriors and coming back to New Zealand is a huge honour for me,” said Albert-Jones.

“Being part of the team as we make our return to the NRLW means everything especially knowing the potential we have to lift women’s rugby league back home.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make. Leaving Newcastle and the girls is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make but having the opportunity to come home and be part of something special was hard to pass up.

“Having worked with Ron before, I know how committed he is to building a winning culture. He’s a coach who genuinely cares about the players and the team’s overall development. He’s been clear about his high expectations and the hard work required.

“I’m just excited to be part of this journey and to give everything I’ve got to help bring success to the Warriors.”

Albert-Jones’ 10 appearances for the Knights last year were all wins, culminating in the 24-18 win over the Titans in the grand final. The one match she missed was Newcastle’s only loss of the season to the Cowboys.

She has started all eight of the Knights’ matches so far this year averaging 95 metres and 19 tackles a game with three tries, 23 tackle breaks, four line breaks and six off loads.

Albert-Jones made her Kiwi Ferns debut at standoff in the mid-year Test against Mate Ma’a Tonga at Go Media Stadium in 2022 before going on to the Rugby League World Cup in England.