Australian coach Wayne Bennett says the "NRL will be poorer" after Stacey Jones' shock announcement that he will quit the Warriors for French club les Catalans next season.

Jones, a former winner of the game's highest individual honour - the Golden Boot - revealed that he will join the French club, which will next year enter the English Super League competition.

Bennett, preparing the Australian Test side for battle against New Zealand in the Anzac Test on Friday night, said Jones' recruitment was a boon to the international game.

"The NRL will be poorer for his not being here," Bennett said.

"He's the best buy they've made ... they won't get a better buy than him.

"I'm extremely pleased for the French because their game will obviously benefit greatly from having him play there.

"They're going into the Super League next year which is really important for the game.

"France need to be successful and he'll make a huge difference."

The Broncos mentor did not hide his delight that the Auckland-born veteran would not line up against Australia in his 35th Test.

"He'd make a huge difference to the Kiwis because he is a general, he gets them around the park - it's what he does best," said Bennett of the 28-year-old who has scored over 500 points and played more than 200 NRL games for the Warriors since his debut in 1995.

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