Michael Maguire coaching conundrum: NSW Blues job likely to force Madge out of Canberra
Michael Maguire could be pushed out of Canberra if, as expected, he accepts the NSW Blues coaching position despite further delays to negotiations with NSWRL officials.
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Canberra assistant coach Michael Maguire has yet to accept the NSW coaching position – but the inevitable deal could end his tenure at the Raiders.
Maguire, who is coaching the New Zealand side, has asked NSWRL officials for a delay in negotiations until the Pacific Championships tournament ends early next month.
The Blues have targeted Maguire and wanted to have the deal signed and sealed last week.
There is a growing feeling that Maguire cannot coach at Canberra, NSW, and New Zealand in the one season.
No-one was talking publicly but Canberra is unlikely to allow Maguire to stay while coaching NSW, given the Raiders were reluctant to allow the NSWRL’s premier target, their own coach Ricky Stuart, from taking the job due to Origin’s exhaustive nature.
Maguire may reject the NSW offer but that would appear highly unlikely.
The Raiders board hasn’t yet met over the issue given Maguire hasn’t formally accepted the Blues offer.
Maguire has time to make the decision - Origin I arrives in May next year - but Canberra is aware the club may need to start searching for a new replacement assistant – hastening their desire for a quick decision.
It may be that Maguire resigns from Canberra by coaching NSW.
Maguire, 49, is respected and admired at Canberra, his former playing club.
Aware how sensitive the issue has become, Maguire was refusing to answer any Origin-related questions at a press conference on Monday ahead of this weekend’s Test against Samoa.
Time again during the press conference, Maguire dodged questions about possibly coaching NSW.
“I’m fully focused about the Kiwis,” Maguire told New Zealand media.
“That’s what I’m going to be continually talking about and that’s my goal at the moment.
“I am 100 per cent committed with the boys, we’ve done a lot of work to get to this point and I don’t plan on anything getting in the way of what we’re focused on.”
A shock and unlikely decision by Maguire to knock back the Blues job would be embarrassing for the NSWRL.
Maguire, the ex-South Sydney premiership-winning coach, wants to continue his seven-year tenure as New Zealand Test coach given the NSW position is part-time.
He has a Kiwi contract until the end of 2025.
New Zealand play Samoa at Auckland’s Eden Park this Saturday. The Kiwis play Australia the following weekend in Melbourne before an inevitable rematch in the tournament final at Hamilton, New Zealand.
Canberra players are due back from their off-season break in six weeks.
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