NRL 2023 pre-season watch: Canberra Raiders shutdown Michael Maguire’s Wallabies links

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has addressed rumours linking high-profile Raiders assistant, Michael Maguire, with Eddie Jones’ Wallabies.

Former Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has reconfirmed his commitment to the Canberra Raiders amid rumours he has been approached to help out Eddie Jones with the Wallabies.

The Canberra Raiders are aware of the rumour and Maguire spoke to head coach Ricky Stuart on Wednesday about the situation.

“Madge came into the office and spoke to me about the speculation that has been getting around,” Stuart told News Corp on Wednesday.

“It’s a measure of the bloke that he came and saw me.

“He reconfirmed his total commitment to the Raiders.

“Madge, Mick Crawley and Justin Giteau, our other assistant coaches, have formed a fantastic combination to help us try to win the comp.”

It shows the lengths to which Jones is prepared to go to rebuild the Wallabies, that he’s looking outside the rugby realm for experience as he prepares for the World Cup in September.

Maguire was axed by the Wests Tigers last year but took New Zealand to the Rugby League World Cup in England where they narrowly lost to eventual champions Australia in the semi-final stage.

Michael Maguire.

Eddie Jones. Picture: Karen Watson/AFP

He still has hopes of returning to an NRL head coaching role in the future.

Maguire, who played rugby union before switching to play for the Raiders in the 1990s, is the latest NRL name to rebuff potential interest from the rival code.

Off-contract Parramatta centre Will Penisini re-signed with the Eels until the end of 2025 on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old is a former student of acclaimed rugby school King’s in Parramatta, where he played the 15-man code alongside close friend and another Jones target, Sydney Roosters star Joseph Suaali’i.

Originally published as NRL 2023 pre-season watch: Canberra Raiders shutdown Michael Maguire’s Wallabies links