Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Josh McGuire owns rugby league’s worst rap sheet
It’s the nastiest rap sheet since the NRL’s inception with the most guilty findings of any player. Check out the entire list — plus all the latest NRL chatter in What’s the Buzz.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
This man has the worst foul play record in NRL history.
Gouging, head-highs, striking, crusher tackles, tripping, verbal abuse – you name it, he’s done it.
Josh McGuire’s rap sheet is the nastiest since the NRL’s inception with the most guilty findings of any player.
On 28 occasions he has been found guilty of foul play. All up he has 30 weeks of suspensions plus $16,550 in fines. This compares to Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who has missed 16 weeks in the NRL.
McGuire’s suspensions would have been even longer in the old days before the fine system was introduced.
Former NRL enforcer Mark Carroll once described the former Maroons forward as “a human grub.”
Spudd added: “If he was playing in my era he would be whacked. I can guarantee we would fix him up.”
McGuire’s latest misdemeanour in the UK Super League has resulted in a whopping seven-week ban.
The 32-year-old joined Warrington on a two-year deal after finishing up with the St George-Illawarra Dragons at the end of last season.
In his first game – against Leigh Centurions – McGuire was charged with unacceptable language (disability discrimination) towards an opponent, fellow Aussie Tom Amone, the former Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers player.
We have chosen not to publish his alleged comment because it is too distressing.
He has been ordered to attend education classes around people living with a disability as part of his punishment. He was also fined $1750 and banned for seven games.
Warrington CEO Karl Fitzpatrick told the Sunday Telegraph that although McGuire denied the charge at the judiciary, his club would accept the suspension.
Read the full Josh McGuire judiciary verdict here
All the latest NRL chatter and more in Australia’s hottest sport gossip column.
SAINT
Brad Fittler has had his critics as NSW Blues Origin coach but he is the most wonderful ambassador for rugby league. Freddy is on his annual Hogs for Homeless motorbike tour of country NSW. He’s been to Bourke, Lismore, Albury, Dubbo, Walgett, Glen Innes, Cooma, Moruya, Tamworth and Harden, among other towns, with Blues women’s coach Kylie Hilder. All up they have travelled 5700km, given away 1100 footballs at clinics and convinced dozens of youngsters to sign up to play footy.
SINNER
If Newcastle Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga was not aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol while managing a brain injury, as he claims, then surely there is something wrong with the NRL’s health and safety education programs.
SHOOSH
Which former first-grader and NRL official was disqualified from Oztag at Menai for a semi-final last Monday night because he was an unregistered player?
SPOTTED
Des Hasler at the Sting concert at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night. “He was clapping, singing, dancing and really getting into it,” said Paul Langmack, the ex-Bulldogs star who was seated a couple of rows behind the former Manly coach.
SPOTTED
Tough old South Sydney Rabbitohs forwards Tony and Dean Rampling with their old coach George Piggins at the 60th birthday party of halfback Craig ‘Tugger’ Coleman.
SPOTTED
Matty and Andrew Johns at the Rocky Horror show at the Theatre Royal, Joey looking like he was dressed to play a part.
SPOTTED
Jillaroos and NRLW star Jess Sergis watching the Super Bowl at the Bay Hotel, Maroubra Beach, on Monday morning.
SPOTTED
The chairman’s suite at Penrith Stadium was half empty for the World Club Challenge. The NRL was charging $495 for a seat. Penrith fills the room every home game at a more reasonable $275 a head.
SPOTTED
Souths is one big happy family. Skipper Cam Murray and partner Miranda Cross are godparents for Damien Cook’s little boy Jagger, who was baptised at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Caringbah.
ROOSTERS WANT RADLEY FOR LIFE
Victor Radley is close to signing a four-year extension with Sydney Roosters.
His agent Sam Ayoub is in the final stages of talks with Roosters boss Nick Politis.
It is probably one of Politis’ easier negotiations because Radley, a proud local junior, is not interested in talking to rival organisations. The 24-year-old is determined to be a one-club player.
It is going to be a huge year for the punishing lock. Despite electing to play for tier-one nation England at the World Cup, he is likely to play State of Origin for NSW.
A review of Origin qualification rules will be soon finalised.
Players born in Australia, who played their junior football in NSW or Queensland, are expected to be made available for Origin, even if they have played for a tier-one country.
Radley is also in talks with a Brisbane promoter about entering the boxing ring for a fight at the end of the NRL season.
CAPTAIN’S CALL FOR SEASON LAUNCH
NRL boss Andrew Abdo has given up hope of hosting a full-scale season launch because of the RLPA dispute and threats of a player boycott.
However he insists negotiations are progressing promisingly and he is hoping the captains of the 17 teams will be in Sydney for a major media event.
“We’re not there on a final deal but talks have been encouraging,” Abdo said. “Everyone is keen to get it done.”
The RLPA has had some key victories, especially around player welfare.
The two parties have agreed on a condition where the NRL has to consult players if the season or their workload is to be increased. There is also an agreement the players will be consulted before any rule changes are introduced.
MADGE’S KIWI FUTURE REVEALED
Michael Maguire’s job as New Zealand Test coach appears safe despite his sacking from the Wests Tigers last year and the Kiwis’ failure to make the World Cup final in November.
The New Zealand Rugby League is conducting a review into the World Cup campaign but Maguire – now assisting Ricky Stuart in Canberra – is expected to retain the job. He recently knocked back an offer from Eddie Jones to join the Wallabies coaching staff.
NZRL chief executive Greg Peters says a decision will be made in a fortnight.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in Michael but we’ll let the process play out,” Peters said. “We’ve made huge strides in recent years but that’s not to say we can’t do better. We fell at the final hurdle at the World Cup.
“The feedback from the players was really positive, apart from the semi-final loss. We’ve got to learn from that experience and Michael knows that.”
GENEROSITY PAYS OFF FOR ROOKIE
Emerging Souths star Dion Teaupa has picked up a new boots sponsor under the most unlikely circumstances after his outstanding debut against Manly last weekend in Gosford.
The rookie five-eighth, who scored two tries and set up another in a brilliant 40-minute stint, was mobbed by fans after the game.
While signing autographs, a lady begged Teaupa to give his boots to her young son celebrating a birthday.
There was one problem … the 20-year-old owns only one pair – the ones he had on.
“At the end of the day I just felt I needed to do the right thing by the young kid,” Teaupa said.
“I knew they were my only pair but I just couldn’t say no.”
There is a nice ending to this story.
Boot manufacturer Puma heard about Teaupa’s generosity and has jumped on board to sponsor the youngster for the remainder of the season.
NRL Rich 100: Walsh among nine snubbed Maroons stars
Reece Walsh is among a posse of Queensland Origin stars that didn’t make the 2024 Rich 100 list, in proof that big bucks doesn’t guarantee big-name performances. See the analysis of notable omissions and underperforming inclusions.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.