‘I had no idea’: NSW coach rocked by post-match news

NSW coach Michael Maguire has revealed he was completely clueless about a major Origin drama until one of his star players confessed.

Michael Maguire and Jake Trbojevic

NSW coach Michael Maguire has revealed he shared a hilarious post-match moment with “banished” Blues reserve Haumole Olakau’atu following their team’s series win.

Olakau’atu was reportedly evicted from the field for his role in the wild first half scuffle and could be seen running in wearing a suit, grabbing Valentine Holmes.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Michael Maguire was asked what he thought of the NRL’s decision to ban Olakau’atu from returning to the bench.

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“I’ll tell you a secret, I had no idea about Haumole,” he said.

He then went on to reveal how he found out about the incident, which left the Sea Eagles gun watching on from the Suncorp Stadium tunnel as his teammates lifted the trophy.

“I was actually trying to drag him on the field at the end there and he goes ‘I’m not allowed on there’,” Maguire said.

“I was like ‘what for?’. But yeah, I’ll have to go back and have a look at that part.”

Meanwhile, Cameron Murray was also sent to the sin bin for his role in the scuffle despite being on the bench which meant Mitch Barnett had to leave the field in his place.

The Rabbitohs skipper could be seen sprinting into the melee and Maguire believed it was a sign he was prepared to put his body on the line for his teammates.

“It is what it is. But when you look at that moment, Cam Murray is one of the nicest blokes in the game... and he plays the game to perfection,” Maguire said.

“But he obviously went down there because he cared for one of his teammates and the call was made, so play on.

“I’ve known Cam Murray for a long time and I’d never have thought he’d have jumped into something like that but it just goes to show what the group means to each other.”

Meanwhile, Maguire also hailed the performances of Mitchell Moses, who was man of the match in Game II and scored a crucial Game III try.

The Eels gun also suffered what looked like a suspected biceps injury and finished the series decider on the sidelines.

“Coming in I’d spoken a lot to Mitch prior to the series... I like Mitch and his personality and it suits the arena. You’ve got to have a lot of confidence about your game,” Maguire said.

Michael Maguire and Jake Trbojevic

“His kick is very handy, that’s what Origin is about. You’ve got to have a decent kick on the end of your sets.

“He definitely brought that and it was really nice to see him break the game open there... he was patient, the game was a dogfight.

“There was going to be a moment to open the game up and Mitch found it.”

Maguire also hailed the turnaround of Wally Lews Medallist Angus Crichton, who started his 2024 season in reserve grade after battling mental health issues following the 2022 World Cup.

“He’s enormous, he was excellent, he’s getting better and better now. I guess It just goes to show in life you can face a bit of adversity,” Maguire said.

“But he’s a great example of a player that went back a rebuilt where he was at. It’s a real credit to him.”

For Maguire himself, he admitted winning an Origin series was a huge achievement in his career.

He’s already won an NRL premiership with the Rabbitohs in 2014, but endured a turbulent spell at the Tigers which resulted in his sacking in 2022.

Since then he’d worked as an assistant at the Raiders and as New Zealand’s head coach, but ultimately all roads led to a career-defining series decider in 2024.

“Right throughout my career I’ve learnt many different things, whether it be at club land or in this space,” Maguire said.

“I’ve been fortunate. I have to thank the Kiwis, they gave me a great opportunity and we had some great times together that thought (me) how to coach at campaign level.

“But also too I have enjoyed my coaching at club level.

“When you’ve got the best players in the game it is subtly different. You’ve got players who know exactly what you need to do.

“Those conversations are just at a different level... the players, the last two or three sessions they ran it themselves.”

Originally published as ‘I had no idea’: NSW coach rocked by post-match news