Michael Maguire agrees to become NSW State of Origin coach, but can he juggle Kiwis, NSW and Raiders?

In a possible pointer towards officials being comfortable with Michael Maguire juggling his Kiwi commitments and the NSW coaching role, NZRL chief executive Greg Peters has given him a glowing endorsement.

New Zealand Rugby League chiefs have publicly endorsed Michael Maguire but will wait until after the Pacific Championships is complete before discussing in detail his plan to take over as NSW coach.

In a possible pointer towards Kiwi officials being comfortable with Maguire juggling both roles, NZRL chief executive Greg Peters said they were satisfied with what Maguire had done since taking over but insisted there was still work to complete.

“He has a long-term deal with us through to the World Cup and that is a statement in itself,” Peters said.

“Absolutely we have always been happy with what he has done, the growth of the group and the growth of the coaching group, which was part of what we were hoping he would do for us.

“We haven’t finished that by any stretch of the imagination. So there is no dissatisfaction with him at all. It is not one of those comments where the chairman or CEO says we have full faith in the coach.

“It is a genuine one.”

The NZRL have backed Michael Maguire. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Maguire has a contract with the Kiwis until 2025 but questions have rightly been asked over his capacity to lead both New Zealand and the Blues in light of revelations that he was now the preferred option of the NSW Rugby League.

Maguire is also on the coaching staff at Canberra and it would be a surprise if he was to remain with the Raiders given the Blues job would clash with his club commitments.

The New Zealand position is a different scenario because international rugby league is played at the end of the year. Peters said the NZRL would take a deeper look at the issue once the Pacific Championships were complete.

“Both Michael and us are solely focused on the Kiwi campaign for the next three weeks,” Peters said.

“We’re not considering that matter at all until after that is concluded. NSW put out a press release yesterday to that effect as well.

“We’re not going to discuss that. It is up to our board to make that determination but we won’t even consider it until the next three weeks are out of the road.

“My understanding is it has happened relatively quickly and somewhat surprisingly to Michael. So it is very fresh news and there are a few more steps to go.”

Blues, Kiwis, Raiders: Madge set to relinquish one job

Michael Maguire has told people close to him that he is confident he can juggle the NSW and New Zealand roles but his position as an assistant coach at Canberra is set to come under pressure as he prepares to take charge of the Blues.

Maguire has been earmarked to become the next coach of NSW, Blues officials confirming late on Thursday that he was the preferred candidate to take over from Brad Fittler on a 12-month contract with a charter to rescue the embattled Blues.

It shapes as unprecedented territory for the code as Maguire attempts to simultaneously take charge of NSW and the Kiwis – he has a contract with the New Zealand Rugby League until the end of 2025.

NZRL chief executive Greg Peters was unable to be contacted on Thursday night but he has previously been an outspoken supporter of Maguire, hailing his work after the Kiwis were eliminated from last year’s World Cup.

Amid talk that the decision to coach the Blues would make Maguire’s position with the Kiwis untenable, Fox League commentator Matthew Johns – once mooted as a potential assistant with the Blues – insisted he could handle both roles.

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Johns said.

Michael Maguire has verbally agreed to become the next NSW State of Origin coach.

“I’ve got no doubt that the workload and the preparation will be water off a duck’s back for Madge.

“It won’t worry him. I don’t know how the NSWRL or Kiwis will feel about it. But I don’t have a problem with it, because he’s not a full-time coach at club level.”

While the two roles would both demand Maguire’s full attention, weighing in his favour is the fact that State of Origin and international football are separated on the rugby league calendar.

It means two roles will not overlap. The same can’t be said for his position with Canberra, where Maguire started as an assistant under Ricky Stuart this year.

Raiders officials were reluctant to allow Stuart to pursue the NSW role and there is every chance they will adopt the same stance with Maguire.

If so, it would open up a position on Stuart’s staff. The Raiders are likely to have options. Former St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has only just turned down a position at North Queensland, meaning he is free to explore his options.

Another option could be former Raiders head coach David Furner, who parted ways with the Wests Tigers last month. Furner and Stuart were once teammates and the Furner name resonates like no other in the nation’s capital – his father Don was the club’s first coach and his brother Donnie is the current chief executive.

It is understood Maguire spoke to Canberra officials on Wednesday night about the prospect of taking on the NSW job. NSWRL chair Paul Conlon on Thursday said discussions with Maguire had been placed on hold out of respect for his current commitment with the New Zealand team.

“We understand and respect Michael’s professionalism and commitment to the New Zealand team now and over the coming weeks,” Conlon said.

“His sole focus is on preparing them for the upcoming three Test matches. In fact that is exactly the quality that attracted us to him for the coaching role.

“He has made a long-term commitment to New Zealand Rugby League and we wish him all the best for the upcoming Test matches.”

Maguire has already begun working on his staff with highly-respected Broncos assistant and former NSW forward John Cartwright set to be part of a new-look NSW Origin coaching structure.

Maguire’s intense coaching style, widely-viewed as being suited to the ferocity of the three-game series that is the Origin arena, and his experience as an NRL coach, are major factors in his appointment.

While Johns ruled himself out of being any chance of joining Maguire’s coaching staff, the Fox League host said the former Wigan, South Sydney and Wests Tigers coach’s impact on the Blues would be immediate.

“The great thing about short-term coaching with Madge (Maguire) is that he gets in and he’ll push that camp intensity into the players over a short space of time,’’ Johns said.

“Over a long period, like a lot of great coaches, that intensity can wear a team out.

“But the great thing about rep football is, you’re in and you’re back out again really quick, so players are only ever getting the best of that coach.

Michael Maguire received huge support to take on the role from influential Fox League host Matthew Johns. Picture: Getty Images

“If you look at Ricky Stuart and Gus Gould. Their ability to get a team ready with an intense preparation, to get them up in quick time, Madge also has those qualities.

“Madge is probably the most organised and prepared coach I’ve ever seen. He leaves nothing to chance.

“When you go into Origin camp, time is of the essence.

“Madge will know exactly how he wants to play long before he gets into camp and he’ll know the players he needs to execute that.

“His ability to operate in the realm of pressure is also proven.’’

One of the major criticisms of the Blues failed 2023 series to Queensland was their limited experience of being exposed to the daily pressure of working inside an elite-level coaches box – a factor not lost on Johns when discussing Maguire.

“He’s proven that he can get the best out of elite players,’’ Johns said.

“If you look at what he was able to do in England with Wigan, with their elite players. They were underachieving and he got them going to the point of winning a comp there.

“And then of course, what he did at Souths (2014 premiership) with big personalities like Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis, while ushering young guys through like Adam Reynolds. He just knows how to get the best out of good players and strong personalities.’’

Asked if he would facilitate an Origin role with Maguire, Johns replied: “I enjoy doing one-on-one stuff, but as far as going back into a team training environment every day, that’s not for me.

“I’ve chosen my career path and that’s in the media. Give it to someone who has chosen coaching as their career path.’’