'Big on form': Madge's selection hint as NSW coach reveals 'key' to ...

Michael Maguire has been officially announced as Brad Fittler’s replacement for the NSW Blues coaching job for the 2024 State of Origin series and dropped a hint on his selection process.

After months of negotiations with the NSWRL board, Maguire was unveiled as Fittler’s successor after he was forced to step down from his role as New Zealand national coach.

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“It is a real honour to be appointed as the coach of NSW,” Maguire said.

“As a young kid I grew up dreaming of wanting to play for NSW, but my career was cut a little bit short so I went the coaching route.

“I find the opportunity to actually think that I am coaching NSW... I am pinching myself.”

There will certainly be plenty of pressure on Maguire to deliver after an underwhelming last series for the Blues, who failed to capitalise on a talented squad headlined by several members of Penrith’s premiership-winning team.

Maguire though hinted that when the time comes for him to pick the NSW squad for the 2024 series there will be somewhat of a clean slate, with form the leading factor.

“I’m going to keep a really open page on where I go,” Maguire said.

“I’m big on form.

Michael Maguire at the NSW Centre of Excellence.Source: News Corp Australia

“The biggest thing I’ll say to all the players is just to go out and play the best footy that you can play because that’ll play a big part in where we go as a group.

“When you’ve got people in really good form and they’re coming into camp with a positive mindset about how they want to do things, I go after those players.

DAILY TELEGRAPH 30TH NOVEMBER 2023 Pictured at NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park is the newly announced NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire.Source: News Corp Australia

“I’m looking forward to just letting the players go out and play now. I’ll have discussions to be able to find ideas around what’s going to best work for NSW and the squad, but I’m also going to say to them ‘go out and enjoy yourselves and play your best footy’, and when the time’s right, we’ll have to pick a team.

“At the end of the day, I have a pretty open sheet.

“That’s the joys of being able to start fresh and allow the players to not have to think. I just want them to play, and if they do that then the performances will sort things out over time.”

Maguire also went on to add that he would eventually reach out to Brad Fittler, having already contacted other past coaches in a bid to help the group move forward while still respecting the team’s history.

“I am a big believer that the old boys every time they see that jersey run out on the field they are going to have a feeling of the joys and the rides of what goes on,” he said.

“I am looking forward to letting loose with the players in time, but we will get together and spend a bit of time talking about the camps and how we go about that.

New Blues coach Michael Maguire.Source: News Corp Australia

“I am fortunate that I can talk to past coaches like Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and I will connect with Freddy (Fittler) at some stage.

“I have got a lot of respect for all those people and we all want to have the State succeed and I know they do and I do just as much.

“I am really looking forward to what is ahead and I actually can’t wait.”

Maguire revealed what some of those former coaches had told him about the magnitude of the job he is stepping into, although he added his experience in the international arena should help in that regard.

Michael Maguire will take over in the Origin arena. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I wouldn’t say they gave me advice it is just the discussions around the little parts of what it takes,” Maguire said.

“I did have some conversations with them recently and they said, Madge this arena is massive and you will feel it in time.

“But I already know that. I have been fortunate to be around a number of the players that have been a part of Origin teams and they describe it and talk about it.

“I have been in the international space now, so one thing I do know about this space is it comes down to one play. It could be one play that is the difference of what rocks and rolls the game.”

Maguire also said his assistant role with the Raiders will effectively make way for his Blues commitments.

“That is going to be quite a reduced role, so I will just be talking to Ricky now, so my main focus will be about the Blues now,” Maguire said.

Maguire then revealed his feelings on having to step down from the New Zealand coaching job.

“Unfortunately things don’t always work out the way you would like,” Maguire said.

“I still feel that I could have juggled both. They are two different campaigns and it is just understanding that.

“But I respect people’s thoughts and one thing I do know is when you are working on a campaign everyone has got to be aligned.

“Their thoughts are in a different direction, so I have respected that and I am very fortunate now that I can go on with the Blues.”

Maguire also responded to the perception his coaching style is too intense, suggesting he will take a more “relaxed” approach given the quality of players at his disposal.

“The media have spoken about me in many ways the way I am as a coach and I get that,” Maguire said.

“But coaching clubland to Origin and international is different. They are different beasts. They are different machines that move in different ways.

“When you are coaching week to week in club land you are pulling and prodding different ways of moving forward, where as when you have got the capability of players that you have and that is what I found at international, they are the ones that will find their way. We just create the right environment.

“In some ways I am probably a little more relaxed in this space because you are trying to get players of all ages when you are in club land and different abilities where as when you walk into this arena you have got the best of the best and allowing those players to express themselves is the key.”

Danny Weidler reported Maguire will receive a multi-year deal to coach the Blues until 2025, with Brad Fittler offered just five months before quitting his post.

“Michael Maguire announced as Blues coach on a “multi year” deal. Brad Fittler was offered 5 months,” Weidler tweeted.

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Michael Maguire is set to be the 16th Blues Origin coach.Source: Supplied

Maguire vowed to put the jersey first in his bid to win back pride and the series in 2024.

“The Blues jersey is everything and we will ensure that we foster an environment that allows everyone to perform at their very best. Leadership and culture will be critical to do this,” Maguire said.

“Just as important will be bringing everyone along the journey with us, and by that I literally mean everyone, from the front office to the volunteer in Bourke and the thousands of junior footy players who idolise the Blues and are passionate about Origin.

“Everyone has a part to play and I want everyone across the state to feel a part of the Blues Origin campaign.”

Maguire confirmed his high performance staff, which includes Broncos assistant John Cartwright as his assistant coach, at a press conference in Sydney alongside NSWRL CEO David Trodden (see full media release below).

The Canberra Raiders are in the process of discussing a potentially reduced role for Maguire, who is signed until 2025 as an assistant.

Maguire had hoped to hold both roles at the same time, but the New Zealand rugby league saw it as a conflict of interest and forced him to choose.

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The 49-year-old chose to chase his dream of coaching in the Origin arena, which is deemed the toughest in rugby league.

Maguire has experience at all levels of the game having coached 114 wins from 233 NRL games for the Rabbitohs and Tigers, winning a premiership with Souths in 2014.

He also coached 53 wins from 70 games as coach of Wigan and also tasted premiership success in the Super League.

His international record stands at 12 wins from 18 matches, including the Kiwis’ 30-0 demolition of the Kangaroos in his last game, the Pacific Championships final.

HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING STAFF BIOS

Michael Maguire

- 303 First Grade games as Head Coach – Wigan Warriors in Super League (2010-2011), South Sydney Rabbitohs (2012-17), Wests Tigers (2019-22)

- 18 international Tests as Head Coach – New Zealand (2018-23)

- As coach, won 2010 Super League title, 2011 Challenge Cup, 2014 NRL premiership (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

- Played 18 First Grade games – 13 with Canberra Raiders (1992-96), 5 with Adelaide Rams (1998)

John Cartwright

- Currently assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos (since 2020)

- 186 First Grade games as Head Coach - Gold Coast Titans (2007-14)

- Stints as an assistant at other clubs including the North Queensland Cowboys, winning the 2015 NRL premiership

- Played 200 First Grade games - 186 with Penrith Panthers (1985-96), 14 with Salford Red Devils in Super League (1997)

- Played 8 games for NSW (1989-92), 18 for Australia (1980-82)

Matt King

- Currently on coaching staff at the Sydney Roosters (since 2022)

- Played 220 First Grade games – 91 with Melbourne Storm (2003-07), 106 with Warrington Wolves in Super League (2008-11), 23 with South Sydney Rabbitohs (2012-13)

- Played 9 games for NSW (2005-07), 10 for Australia (2005-07)

Brett White

- Currently on coaching staff at the Gold Coast Titans (since 2023), previously with Canberra Raiders (2022)

- Played 196 First Grade games – 127 with Melbourne Storm (2005-10), 69 with Canberra Raiders (2011-14)

- Played 8 games for NSW (2007-10), 3 for Australia (2009), 3 for Ireland (2013)