New coach Michael Maguire will get the chance to guide the Blues on home soil in 2024 with NSW to host the opening State of Origin match in Sydney.
Despite a push to condense the Origin schedule to have less of an impact on the regular season, the ARL Commission will retain the current format next year with a three-week gap between each match on a Wednesday night.
The series will kick off on June 5 at Accor Stadium, according to a NewsCorp report, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground hosting the neutral Origin on June 26.
Queensland won’t get to play at Suncorp Stadium until the series finale on July 17 – NSW had to play on the road for the first two matches this year, losing both, before saving face in the Sydney dead rubber in what turned out to be Brad Fittler’s last game at the helm.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Playing at the MCG has not suited the Maroons over the years – they went down 14-0 in 1994, recorded a 20-12 upset the following year of Paul Vautin’s miracle team, but lost 15-14 (in 1997), 26-18 (in 2015) and 22-12 (in 2018).
Maguire has been handed a one-year part-time deal by the NSWRL and after guiding New Zealand to a 30-0 flogging of Australia in the Pacific Championships final, the former premiership-winning coach is set to hold both roles.
Maroons coach Billy Slater is attempting to emulate Arthur Beetson, Phil Gould and Mal Meninga as the only coaches in Origin history to win a hat-trick of series in their first three years in the role.
They surged late to win the Origin series opener in Adelaide 26-18 before thumping the Blues 32-6 in Brisbane to clinch the series.
With Maroons star Reece Walsh suspended, the Maroons went down 24-10 to NSW in the third match.
Meninga backed Maguire to handle both representative coaching roles.
“He’s a great man Madge,” Meninga said. “If given the job he would do a really terrific job. He’s a great representative coach as well, he’ll bring the best out of those fellas.”
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
So if it’s a decider at Lang Park, Billy gets his hatrick and we still wait for Cleary to perform at Origin level.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
You get the feeling it will be a Suncorp Decider. Best of luck Madge!
Morz
Roar Rookie
Ok so I am gonna say it: It is weird that NSW coach is also the Kiwi coach. I haven't figured out if is disrespectful to the Kiwis or to NSW...or both - but either way it just doesn't sit right with me.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
grew up there, further south now.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
*ish
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Wollongong is?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
very very true Nat - about the ex i mean.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
well Robbo, we agree on one thing - i'd rather live in the sunshine state than Sydney too. fortunately, i'm well away from there & reside on the lovely south coast. as Paul Keating used to say "Sydney, it'll be great when it's finished".
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I'm a rusted on Saints fan too - albeit a long time QLD resident. Funny how all those that 'don't get worked up' are NSW supporters. That is part of the reason why QLD play out of their skin. It makes so many so happy. It certainly does put a smile on our tanned healthy pineapple faces. I've lived in Sydney and Northern Rivers too and I know you are speaking in a minority. The straw that broke the camels back for you was the 8 in a row wasn't it? Come on....I won't tell anyone
Nat
Roar Guru
"For once"? Mate we are the feel good people. No one ever said "hey let's move to Sydney for the lifestyle". However, i can respect your decision. Supporting NSW must be like that sexy but toxic ex. You wanna jump on but the aftermath just isn't worth it. ;)
Robbo
Roar Rookie
What happened to my 'e' ?
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Ok well if you just mean the current Maroons, they were the real deal again this year. You've already seen that they are the real deal - this year and for the majority of series previous. If you haven't seen QLD as the real deal then you haven't been paying attention.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
only Mrs Bernie gets to call me immature & silly David, and like yourself, she can spell.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
robbo, just so we're clear, i have little interest in SOO. spectacle sure, media overhype yep, overrated oh yeh. good on yar QLD, great players who play above themselves to win more often that not. but a little secret for you, most people where i am dont get worked up about it, they save their energy for their NRL team. oh, and i'm rusted on Saints fan - and them losing i do get very sore about.
Redcap
Roar Guru
*puerile.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
A brave early call.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
As have to Blues on occasion. Nothing strange about it.
matth
Roar Guru
Getting in early :stoked:
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Are you looking for some sort of sympathy Matt, or just getting early for the underdog status? :happy:
matth
Roar Guru
Madge should have a relatively easy introduction. With DCE, Munster and Hunt all on their last legs QLD are going to have to rebuild their spine soon