‘Every NRL coaching job will be his to take’: Coach’s huge prize for Blues win

Michael Maguire is on the verge of coaching NSW to an unthinkable series victory, and it might open doors that were previously closed.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 16: Coach Michael Maguire speaks during a NSW Blues State of Origin media opportunity at Sofitel Brisbane Central on July 16, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Michael Maguire is on the verge of coaching NSW to an unthinkable series victory on Wednesday night, and as a result he could become the “most prized coach in the game”.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio who was of the belief NRL clubs will be desperate to hire the former Tigers and Rabbitohs boss if he wins the Origin decider.

Maguire’s Blues outfit were hammered 38-10 on home soil in Game I, losing centre Joseph Suaalii to a high shot on Reece Walsh only seven minutes into the game.

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With their backs against the wall, NSW then went and delivered a performance for the ages at the MCG, beating the Maroons 38-18, scoring six first-half tries.

For Riccio, Maguire could become the next-in-line NRL coach should he steer the Blues to victory at Suncorp Stadium.

“For the same reasons every single time an NRL coaching position is available, Billy Slater’s name is attached to it,” Riccio said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.

“If he goes on and wins this series, his status goes to another realm. But I’ll say this, if Michael Maguire can get this series done, every NRL coaching job will be his to take if he wants it.

“That’s how significant this is.”

Everything’s coming up Madge. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Only the 1994 and 2005 Blues teams have travelled to Brisbane and won a decider and an interesting statistic has also emerged regarding the refereeing of games in Queensland.

Only nine times out of 60 games have NSW won the penalty count when travelling north of the border. For that reason, Riccio doubled down on his claim.

“You’re telling me, Michael Maguire can lift a Blues team who were down 1-0 in the series against a dominant Billy Slater-coached Queensland won’t become the most prized coach in the game?” Riccio said.

However for Fox League’s Paul Crawley, he believes Origin is the perfect arena for a hard-edge coach like Maguire.

He’s coached 233 NRL games in the past, winning a premiership with the Rabbitohs in 2014 before an unsuccessful stint with the Tigers began in 2019.

“I don’t know about that, Madge is a very good coach,” Crawley said.

“With South Sydney when he had a very good squad, he took them from a great squad to a premiership winning squad.

“He didn’t have the same success at the Tigers and perhaps sometimes his hard edge wore thing. I’m saying I think Madge has found his sweet spot with Origin.”

John Sutton and coach Michael Maguire celebrating the 2014 NRL Premiership. Pic Brett Costello

Meanwhile, rugby league legend Gorden Tallis poured cold water on Maguire’s coaching achievements so far this series.

He pointed to the players Queensland have been missing whilst also claiming the referees helped the Blues to secure a win in Game II.

“With no Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui), no (Tom) Flegler, no (Tom) Gilbert, no (Cameron) Munster. You got every call you could possibly get,” Tallis said.

“In Game II you got every call.”

NRL360 host Braith Anasta then added: “You guys let us have every call because you didn’t turn up, you can’t whinge about not getting call when you played like a busted”.

Originally published as ‘Every NRL coaching job will be his to take’: Coach’s huge prize for Blues win