Federation Square function brings warring State of Origin coaches Billy Slater and Michael Maguire together in tense meeting

The friendship between Origin coaches Michael Maguire and Billy Slater – forged over a long period at the Storm – is rumoured to be frosty over comments made after Game 1. What will happen when they meet in the lead up to Game 2?

Michael Maguire and Billy Slater will face off for the first time since their war of words erupted.

In what shapes as an uncomfortably tense meeting, State of Origin coaches Michael Maguire and Billy Slater will face-off in Melbourne on Tuesday – 24 hours before they surge into combat again.

It could be as chilly as Melbourne’s notorious weather.

The NRL has arranged a public and media event in Federation Square where Maguire and Slater will come together on stage – along with rival captains Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans – to promote the big game.

The event – to run between 12.30pm and 1.30pm – was organised well before Maguire and Slater exchanged barbs ahead of the MCG blockbuster.

Officials from both states are curious over whether Maguire and Slater will shake hands, or even look each other in the eye.

Will the MC drag them together?

The NRL has publicised the event through an online advertisement which even resembles an old school fight card.

The Origin captains and coaches promo looks like a fight card.

When asked about the off-field battle between Maguire and Slater, NSW prop Payne Haas said: “Origin is a s**tshow, sorry (for swearing). Origin is chaos. ‘Madge’ has got our backs – that’s the type of person he is.”

Slater initiated the stink by questioning NSW’s tactics and antics after Blues centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off in Sydney for a high shot on Queensland star Reece Walsh.

In a clear reference to Slater and his dubious judiciary record as a player, Maguire said: “You’ve got to make sure you don’t live in glass houses.”

It was a comment that stung Slater.

Some even suggest the argy-bargy has impacted the friendship built between Maguire and Slater when the pair were playing and coaching at Melbourne Storm.

The Blues’ camp insist Maguire’s comment has “galvanised” the state of NSW.

This masthead spoke with Maguire multiple times in Blues camp but he never once backtracked or attempted to play down his “glass house” comment.

The coaching stink, and ensuing media battle across both states, has ensured a spicy and spiteful build-up to a game NSW must win to keep the series alive.

Michael Maguire has defended his players. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Haas added: “I have heard lots of stories about ‘Madge’ and he is all about the players being first. That’s his character and you have to appreciate that.

“He has brought passion (to the camp). ‘Madge’ is crystal clear about what we want to do and how we want to be as a team.”

NSW forward Liam Martin said sledging was part of State of Origin.

“That’s State of Origin, it’s been like that for how many years? Back and forwards,” said Martin. “It’s part of the game. But the players are a lot like me. We don’t really listen to too much external noise. We just focus on ourselves.”

Maguire was an assistant at Melbourne for five years when Slater was the Storm’s brilliant fullback.

When asked about the Suaalii tackle, Slater said: “I honestly don’t like watching it too much, it’s pretty sickening and it’s not good for our game. I can’t imagine too many mums and dads would want to throw their kids in the car and take them and sign them up after watching this sort of stuff.”

Strangely, Slater appeared to forget what he said during an interview on NRL360.

Originally published as Federation Square function brings warring State of Origin coaches Billy Slater and Michael Maguire together in tense meeting