Back from exile ready to stretch England to the limit

It would not be the most obvious of celebrated homecomings, like the club’s first championship-winning side from 1961 will enjoy when they parade on the stadium’s famous pitch on Friday night.

The Kiwi coach, who led Rhinos to a historic third successive Super League title in 2009 before departing to New Zealand last autumn, had envisaged a far less public reunion.

“My plan was to go back one day, put some hair on, go head into the South Stand and enjoy the match experience with all those great fans,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“That’s going to have to be put on hold, though.

“I was always going to come back to Headingley and support Leeds; I just never realised it would be this soon and like this.”

‘Bluey’ McClennan, 49, will return to West Yorkshire next week in his unexpected role as the inaugural Exiles head coach.

Given the task of assembling and preparing a new representative side, plucked from Super League’s top Australians and New Zealanders, to face England on June 10, has left him delighted.

“It is a massive honour to be asked to do this job,” he said.

“It is a wonderful idea and I’m really looking forward to getting in, taking on all these players, forming a bond and working together on a plan for what will be a very strong England team.

“The big bonus in all of this for me, though, is that it is going to be held at Headingley – the best rugby league ground in the world.”

The Exiles will be hoping McClennan’s famous motivational powers which helped bring about New Zealand’s epic 2005 Tri-Nations win over Australia and proved influential with Leeds, will leave them in good stead.

He has been out of the spotlight since stepping down from the Rhinos last September, 12 months earlier than expected.

Having started with a World Club Challenge triumph over Melbourne, he won the 2008 Grand Final in his first year and repeated the feat the following campaign but left at the end of last season to return to New Zealand.

There, McClennan has assumed the role of Auckland RL development and coaching manager.

He said: “Home is home. I’m an Auckland boy and it’s great to be back – with three beaches within walking distance.

“I’m working with the grass roots, helping clubs and coaches trying to increase numbers.

“There’s been growth in the last year. It’s a different challenge but just as rewarding.”

However, since being announced as Exiles chief last month he has been busily preparing, albeit 13,000 miles away, for the one-off International Origin.

Whether it be scouring DVDs to keep abreast of potential selections, conversing with his assistant – Castleford coach Terry Matterson – or speaking to players who have got the nod, his winning mentality has been obvious.

McClennan insists the Exiles will finally provide England with the stern examination they require and is leaving no stone unturned to maximise their potential.

Indeed, he has turned to one of the sport’s legends, former Australia coach Wayne Bennett, who has experience of winning several Origin series with Queensland as well as uniquely working with Kiwi and Australian players for the 2007 All Golds game in England.

“That was fantastic and a real privilege to be able to sit down for a couple of hours and just chat about all things rugby league,” said McClennan.

“I was able to get some thoughts from him about what he thought would work in camp and we were actually in an Auckland hotel watching the Warrington v Wigan game at the time.

“It was a cracking match. Wayne was over with his St George team who had just come off the back of a loss against Cronulla but, geez, did they play against the (Auckland) Warriors?”

McClennan makes two further picks for the 22-man squad today – 13 have already been chosen by the public with the coaches naming seven others – and a potential surprise is emerging as a replacement for Huddersfield’s injured Kiwi David Fa’alogo.

The Yorkshire Post understands seen Hull FC’s explosive Samoan back-row Willie Manu, not in the original 34-man squad and who last season actually contended playing for England on residency grounds, is set for a spot along with St Helens centre Francis Meli.

McClennan said: “The fans picked those we’d have picked anyway but there’s always going to be differences in opinion when it comes to selecting rep’ teams.

“Myself and Terry will pick what we think will be the right mix to play what is effectively going to be a Test match.

“It will be treated like that by us; all the players I have spoken to are chomping at the bit and see this as a great honour.

“We’ve spoken about that ANZAC spirit and being Aussies and Kiwis together overseas in England. I can’t wait to get over there next week and get stuck in.”

McClennan hopes the fixture will turn into an annual event like the State of Origin.

“We’ve just got to be the best we can be,” he said. “I believe if you keep doing good things, people will take notice. If it ends up being a cracker, that will happen.”

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