Michael Maguire is poised to be confirmed as head coach of the NSW State of Origin side after stepping down as coach of New Zealand’s national team.
South Sydney’s 2014 premiership-winning coach has been linked with the job vacated by Brad Fittler since October, when the New South Wales Rugby League tabled him a one-year deal.
But questions remained as to Maguire’s ability to juggle the new position with his head-coaching portfolio at the Kiwis, whom he joined in 2018.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
Maguire oversaw a resurgence of New Zealand’s national program and said last month that guiding the Kiwis to a World Cup victory in 2025 was his top priority.
The 49-year-old had deferred any decisions about the mooted Blues position until after the Pacific Championships that New Zealand won in early November.
On Friday, the Kiwis confirmed Maguire had chosen to step down, only seven months after signing a contract extension to remain in charge through 2025.
“The mana, history and whakapapa associated with the black and white jersey mean any role in and around the Kiwi team is the ultimate privilege,” said NZRL chief executive Greg Peters.
“Michael’s dedication to the role and players has seen him achieve incredible things over the last six years.
“Michael is the ultimate professional and has connected deeply with the NZRL whānau and playing group. We wish him nothing but success in his next career step.”
Maguire won 12 of 18 Test matches as coach of the Kiwis, who appointed him following their worst-ever World Cup result – a quarter-final loss to Fiji in 2017.
His last match, a record-breaking 30-0 defeat of Australia in the Pacific Championships final, is likely to be remembered as his crowning achievement.
Maguire is also an assistant coach to Ricky Stuart at NRL side Canberra but the Raiders have already indicated he could juggle that position with the Blues job if he chose to take it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Is there a conflict? He’s coaching a NSW side to try and beat Queensland not NZ and coaching a NZ side to play Australia not NSW. The respective seasons are 4-5 months apart It sounds like NZ has put the kibosh on the arrangement which is interesting because I’d think they’d have the most to gain from the additional intel he’d pick up coaching the blues against the maroons We’ve had club coaches coach against their own club players in Origin before and it hasn’t been a problem
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Or the Wallabies :laughing:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
It’s all good. It’s just another opinion, or way of looking at it ? Not having a go at your comments. Where’s the interest if everybody just says the same things & gives you all likes? :laughing:
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
I think you are going way over the top there. I just said that I thought Billy has the wood over McGuire as far as game analysis & Strategy are concerned. My opinion nothing more. I wasn't trying to pull McGuire down at all, as I said, I quite like him as a coach. Either way, I guess we will find out come July.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
If he gets no first grade job here again. Why wouldn’t he go back then? With a patched up record , after his time at West’s.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Playing at fullback in a dominant side , as a very good fullback. Nothing to do with coaching. You’re talking him up a lot as a coach. With a very small sample size. With lots of help from others , who’ve done it before. Then talking down a coach , who’s actually won a Premiership, as a coach. Then also done a shut out of Australia , as coach of NZ. Seems like you’re pretty sure about something, with so little to go by?
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
He's been there and done that. Had great success with Wigan before he took the souths job.
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
Watch him when he is commentating. He breaks down the game and plays extremely well. I have also been at games sat right behind Billy when he has been playing and watched how he reads the game and positioned himself. He is a Master at that.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
He came , he saw , he conquered from his point of view ? With the coaching of the NZ side . If he could do a similar thing even the once with NSW , then walk away. Would look good on his CV . Set him up to get a cushy coaching job in England perhaps? :laughing:
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Slater has coached how many sides to a premiership win? How much of whatever strategy is actually his with the Queensland side & how much comes from those around him, telling him what to do?
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Slater is in the exact position that Fittler was in at the end of 2019 :thumbup:
dogs
Roar Rookie
I don’t think you could do both. Massive conflict of interest, seeing as NSW is theoretically half the Australian side, which is NZ’s main rival. Seems dodgy from either side.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think the games have been close - Freddy just didn’t understand how to select and use a bench. I think Madge will bring a harder approach and not be influenced by Gus and CH9 commentators when it comes to selections and positions.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The international and origin seasons don’t run concurrently and neither is a 52 week a year role His results this year with NZ have been brilliant. Surprised they weren’t more accommodating
Redcap
Roar Guru
Big step down for Madge.
Cam
Roar Rookie
The Kiwis were ok to share Madge with Canberra, but not willing to share with the NSW Blues (which would be a much shorter commitment). Weird decision off the back of their greatest ever win over Australia.
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
I think the Kiwi's pushed the envelope and underestimated the lure of Origin.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Madge is back in business. Confidence is key!
Succhi
Roar Rookie
That’s a step backward for the kiwis, just when they had some momentum. Totally understand Madge’s choice - if he can get NSW winning, there will be a further opportunities in and around the NRL.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Big call, given the SOO is not for another 6 or 8 months.