Veivers answers McClennan call to help plot downfall of England

The Australia-born ex-St Helens centre was sacked by new Salford City Reds owner Marwan Koukash just five rounds into the current season.

A former coach at Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls assistant, he jumped at the chance to help McClennan plot the downfall of England in the International Origin match at Warrington on June 14.

“To be back involved in the match with the Exiles is great,” said Veivers.

“I think I’ve been out of the game seven weeks and it’s probably been the hardest seven weeks in the sense that I’ve been looking at four walls every day rather than working a 60- or 70-hour week.”

Veivers, 48, has been involved in English rugby league for almost three decades and has vast knowledge of the game here.

He helped Auckland-based McClennan select a 28-man squad and will keep a check of the form and fitness of candidates until the ex-Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand boss arrives to take full charge.

“It came out of the blue,” added Veivers. “I was sat in one evening and he rang me up and asked me to assist him.

“I’ll be his eyes and ears because the only games he’s going to get over there are the ones that are on Sky whereas I can see every game and keeps tabs on how the players are going.

“We’ve got a 27-man squad but it’s not a closed shop. Anyone who is outstanding from outside that squad has a chance of breaking in.

“There are near enough 90 overseas players still running around in Super League that we can tap into.

“I think we’ve assembled a pretty skilful and big and fast side.”

Warrington full-back Brett Hodgson has retained the captaincy after guiding the Exiles to victory last year.

The ex-Huddersfield captain is joined in the squad by Wolves club-mates Joel and Michael Monaghan and Trent Waterhouse.

Saints also have four included and that would have been five but winger Francis Meli has been ruled out through injury.