Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie and Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire swap training ideas

QUEENSLAND Reds coach Ewen McKenzie joined Rabbitohs counterpart Michael Maguire at Redfern Oval.

Michael Maguire and Even McKenzie

"WE are here to swap Quade Cooper for Greg Inglis," Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie quipped as a quiet coffee with Rabbitohs counterpart Michael Maguire descended into a media circus.

Tongues were wagging yesterday when McKenzie and Maguire - two of the sharpest thinkers in the Super Rugby and NRL respectively - came together at Redfern Oval. The pair swapped ideas and discussed ways to maintain team harmony. But there was no talk of players switching codes.

McKenzie said he hoped Cooper - a long-time target for Parramatta and the Roosters - would remain in rugby with the Reds beyond this season.

And Maguire did not have to be reminded he had Inglis, rugby league's hottest property, at his disposal.

"He would definitely be up there," Maguire said when asked if Inglis was currently the best player in the NRL.

"For us, he is doing great things in the background. He's helping the young boys, and I am seeing Greg lead like I have never seen before.

"On and off the park he's doing great things for the club. Particularly this year, Greg has taken some strides forward in how he goes about things."

Inglis was outstanding against Canberra last Friday, two days after starring for Queensland in Origin I.

He looms as a big factor in Saturday's crunch game against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

McKenzie has being admiring the form of Inglis and joked he would be too expensive to lure across to rugby, especially given his recent form.

But McKenzie is more than happy to coach Cooper and is confident his playmaker will remain in rugby.

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