‘Blazing row’: Serious Broncos problems laid bare as phone call blow-up comes to light

Major problems are reportedly brewing at the Broncos, with a bizarre Michael Maguire decision prior to the Rabbitohs loss questioned.

“Problems” are reportedly brewing at the Broncos, with Michael Maguire’s decision to take his players on a luxury Sydney Harbour cruise before their loss to the Rabbitohs being questioned and his relationship with his players already under scrutiny.

Maguire, during a week where Brisbane had a five-day turnaround, decided to bring his players to Sydney early on Wednesday to enjoy a night on a multimillion-dollar cruiser.

The Rabbitohs then stunned Maguire’s side with a Latrell Mitchell two-point field goal proving the difference, giving up a 14-0 halftime lead to lose 22-14.

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Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield wrote a column questioning Maguire’s decision to take his players on the cruise, which was published on Saturday. “You know Souths heard about it and they used it thinking this mob have come down early and they are out in the harbour. They used it Souths, I know Wayne Bennett found out.”

What followed was a reportedly fiery conversation with the Broncos coach on Sunday, with Rothfield also revealing Wayne Bennett had used news of the cruise to inspire his troops.

“Madge has got a roster that should seriously be challenging for a title, not getting beaten by a depleted Rabbitohs,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“There were a few people in the camp shocked in a five-day turnaround week Madge had brought them down to Sydney for three nights instead of their usual game eve.

“He took them out on the harbour for a luxury cruise, he didn’t like the story.

Michael Maguire has come under heavy fire. Image: NRL Photos/ Lyndon Mechielsen

“Players like to stick to schedule, do you like sleeping in your own bed at home rather than travelling? I don’t think it’s a good look to be out on a cruiser like that.

According to Rothfield, Broncos players hold some concerns regarding Maguire’s training methods, which have contributed to their “flat” performances in recent weeks.

Before their loss to the Rabbitohs, Brisbane were also demolished by a Panthers side who were languishing on the bottom of the ladder.

“There are problems at the Broncos aren’t there … I make a lot of phone calls, I’m told there are problems there. Madge’s relationship with some of the players,” Rothfield explained.

“Mate, they are going worse than they were under Kevvie Walters … there’s a feeling there that they are being overtrained and that’s one of the reasons why they are flat.

“It’s one of the reasons they led 14-0 and they just couldn’t go on with it in the second half and they were a little bit disconnected.

“As I said at the beginning of the season, that off-season preparation with the NRL even made inquiries into, not the army camp, but the fact there were vomit buckets at training.

“Players were pictured vomiting into them, there were questions from the RLPA and the NRL about whether this was the modern way to go about preparing a side for the season.

“I had a blazing row with Madge about that yesterday, he doesn’t seem to think he has done anything wrong.”

Maguire reportedly is set to hold meetings with his coaching staff and leadership group on Monday in an attempt to smooth out any lingering issues.

Michael Maguire’s coaching methods have been questioned. Picture: Tertius Pickard

However, the former NSW coach has a history of falling out with his playing groups according to Rothfield.

“You look at Madge’s history, he did lose the sheds at Souths after winning that unbelievable 2014 grand final,” he said.

“And he lost the sheds again at the Wests Tigers. Now I’m told he has issues with some of the Broncos players.

“Maybe he needs to stay on track and stay firm and convince the players the way he is going about it is the right way.

“But he is having difficulties getting through to them week in, week out about what he actually wants … the new generation of footballer is not like the player from 10 years ago.

“The Cameron Ciraldos and Andrew Websters of this world seem to get it.”

Rugby league legend and Big Sports Breakfast co-host Laurie Daley defended Maguire’s decision to have an outing with his players, which was harmless and an attempt to build the bond in the group.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it, no alcohol involved. Bonding, it was a connection thing, for me personally, I don’t see an issue with it,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Blazing row’: Serious Broncos problems laid bare as phone call blow-up comes to light