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Former premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire will take over the reins of NSW in next year’s State of Origin series after being offered the role on a one-year deal by the Blues.
The former Rabbitohs coach, who guided them to the 2014 premiership, is set to end his stint as New Zealand Test mentor after the upcoming Pacific Championships to focus on the NSW job.
Maguire’s intensity as a coach at club level has led to problems with players complaining about his demanding style at the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers and it may not be effective in a short-term appointment like Origin.
His Blues deal will likely run for five months, from March through to the end of July.
NSWRL officials are hopeful Maguire, who has coached 233 games in the NRL, will formalise a deal in the near future.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
They are hoping his reputation as an intense mentor will suit the State of Origin arena, where camps come in short, sharp bursts.
He is taking over from Brad Fittler after he resigned last month when the NSWRL scaled back the role, leaving with a record of three series wins from six years in charge.
Maguire expressed his interest to become NSW coach in 2018, but lost out to Fittler.
He was at South Sydney’s helm from 2012-17 and was sacked by the Wests Tigers midway through the 2022 season after an unhappy three-year stint.
He was part of Ricky Stuart’s coaching staff at the Raiders this season. It is understood Canberra have given Maguire their blessing to take on the NSW job, although it remains to be seen if he would stay on with the Green Machine.
New Zealand Rugby League refused to comment on Thursday about Maguire’s future, with any decision unlikely until after the Pacific Championships finish next month.
Maguire could theoretically coach NSW and New Zealand as their seasons do not overlap, with the Blues’ offer running for five months from March to July.
It could create challenges around player eligibility, though, with NSW representatives ineligible to play for New Zealand.
Stuart had been sounded out by NSW about a possible return to the Origin gig but wanted to remain solely focused on Canberra.
Laurie Daley had also been questioned about a possible return as NSW coach while Broncos assistant John Cartwright had expressed an interest but no current NRL coaches put themselves in the frame.
Maguire has reportedly been offered a one-year deal by the Blues.
The Blues are staring down the barrel of a third straight series loss after Billy Slater has guided Queensland to a 2-1 series victory in each of his first two years as coach.
with AAP
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