Veivers fights back over Moon exit

Salford head coach Phil Veivers has hit out at centre Joel Moon after he left to join Leeds.

Moon, 24, has moved to the Super League champions on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, having previously told Veivers he was committed to the City Reds for 2013.

The Australian also revealed that the former New Zealand Warriors centre took the Reds to an RFL tribunal at the end of the season to try and get out of his contract – and lost.

Veivers told the club’s official website: “I met up with Joel in Australia during close-season where he stated his commitment to our cause. Since I’ve returned to the UK I’ve heard nothing but excuses as to why he wasn’t on the plane.

“I’ve said this before – I only want players in my team who are committed to the club and prepared to give it everything.

“Joel made it pretty clear that he wanted a move, he said he was homesick, I haven’t checked the map but I presume Leeds must be closer to Sydney than Salford is.

“I’m disappointed because he’s a good player, but the squad needs to have the right attitude – there’s no room here for anyone without it.”

Veivers has so far been restricted to signing just one player – back-rower Andrew Dixon from St Helens – as the club remains in talks over potential investment at the Salford City Stadium.