‘Glass houses again’: Michael Maguire doubles down on Queensland sledge as Blues seek series comeback

Michael Maguire won’t back down from his “glass houses” sledge, with the Blues coach hitting back at former Queensland greats.

Michael Maguire has hit back at criticism from the Maroons over his side’s tactics in Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Blues coach Michael Maguire has doubled down on his “glass houses” barb, warning the Maroons to think twice about criticising his side’s aggressive tactics in Melbourne after legends like Gorden Tallis had a crack at how NSW bullied Queensland.

Maguire lit the fuse for a fiery game 2 at the MCG when he dropped his glass houses call that lingered everywhere you went for the next 10 days, and he hasn’t shied away from it after repeating the sledge in Sydney on Monday morning.

The Blues head into the series decider looking to complete a famous comeback win, with NSW seemingly in the heads of their rivals who were bullied on the field, which didn’t sit well with some of their former legends.

Former Queensland captain Tallis was particularly vocal on NRL 360, unhappy that Blues centre Latrell Mitchell was allowed to get away with pushing Reece Walsh after the ball had gone dead.

Tallis was infamously sent off for calling referee Bill Harrigan “a cheat” in 2000, while he was also happy to antagonise the crowd and rival players throughout his career.

Michael Maguire has fired back at Gorden Tallis’ criticism of the Blues. Picture: Mark Evans

Mitchell’s shove was one of several examples of NSW players standing over or roughing up their Queensland rivals, with the Maroons unable to fire back as they were thrashed in Melbourne.

Maguire has heard the criticism but can’t understand why there’s been so much chatter from north of the border given Maroons assistant Nate Myles was allowed to get away with sledging rookie Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after he was sent off in game 1.

“Glass houses again. If you go back in time (you’ll see a few things that they did),” Maguire said.

“We keep it on the field. There were a fair few things off the field that probably showed up in game 1 that you can look at.

“We’ll look at how we want to play, and we’ll keep to how we do things.

“What was nice to see was that the boys were actually sticking up for each other in the way that we wanted to play.

“There’s a fine line and that’s the stuff that we talked about, but I think the way that the players have shown they want to play is the style that NSW want to go about this.”

The Blues have made a point of connecting with the community during this series. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Meanwhile, Maguire refused to bite when asked why the Blues were happy to do a whole squad media opportunity on Monday afternoon when the Maroons have decided to scrap the pre-game event.

He did, however, have a small crack at the Maroons who have always talked about doing it for Queenslanders, with Maguire proud of how his team has been able to connect with the community.

“That’s probably the path they’ve gone, but what I’ve learnt in this role is that the Origin team is about the people – it’s the people’s team,” he said.

“I’ve definitely felt that in the enormity of the role. Everywhere you go around NSW, the support you get from the fans and the people and the passion that they have for this team is quite incredible.

“I see the team as the people’s team, and something that our group has adopted is that we want to bring everyone on the journey.

The Blues will hold a whole squad media opportunity on Monday, while the Maroons have scrapped theirs. Picture: NRL Imagery

“The fans in that first game all turned out in droves, and while we weren’t quite able to get the result we were after, the effort the boys showed was excellent.

“They’ve had their way, and we’re doing it our way.

“That’s one thing where we’ve had a really good focus on is around what we’re doing. Ever since I was growing up, it’s always been about the people and how we’ve been supporters.

“Watching all the young kids now running around with Blues jerseys on, that’s one thing we’re starting to see on the streets where the NSW jersey is alive and well.”