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‘Gordie might be sitting inside that glasshouse’: Maguire takes aim at Maroons legend
By Christian Nicolussi and Billie Eder
Blues coach Michael Maguire has taken aim at Queensland, accusing Maroons legend Gorden Tallis of living “inside that glasshouse” after complaining about some of NSW’s tactics in the second Origin game.
Tallis was critical of Latrell Mitchell, who pushed Reece Walsh in the back off the ball before half-time in game two in Melbourne last month, and said more than once on NRL 360 that he did not like it.
Maguire and the Blues are well aware Tallis played aggressively his entire career, and once lashed out at unsuspecting NSW winger Adam MacDougall after scoring a try in 2000.
“Gordie might be sitting inside that glasshouse,” Maguire said on Monday, in a reference to his comments about Queensland before game two.
Pushed on Queensland’s complaints about the Blues’ tactics, Maguire said: “That’s where the glasshouses come into play. If you’re talking to that, you look in game one where certain things were said off the field.
“Where you [media] want to take that, that’s up to you. I don’t know whether you would call it bullying. We just played the style rugby league needs to be played.”
Latrell Mitchell pushed over Reece Walsh during game two of Origin at the MCG.Credit: NRL Imagery
No Queensland players helped Walsh after he was knocked over by Mitchell.
When asked how he would have wanted his players to react in a similar situation, Maguire said: “We’ll do it our way and they’ll do it their way.”
Tallis tried to make light of Maguire’s comments on NRL 360 on Monday night, and even asked how many Origin games the coach played, and if he risked being sacked by NSW Rugby League after being shown the door early at South Sydney and the Wests Tigers.
“I said I didn’t like it, but I’m glad I got under his skin,” Tallis said. “I’m not playing. It doesn’t worry me. Madge, I’ll be six beers deep [on the night] enjoying the game.”
The major talking point before next Wednesday’s Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium will be how Queensland respond to the Blues’ aggression.
The Maroons won game one 38-10 against NSW’s 12 men. The Blues triumphed 38-18 at the MCG.
NSW’s game three Origin squad
- Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
- Brian To’o (Panthers)
- Bradman Best (Knights)
- Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
- Zac Lomax (Dragons)
- Jarome Luai (Panthers)
- Mitchell Moses (Eels)
- Jake Trbojevic (c, Sea Eagles)
- Reece Robson (Cowboys)
- Payne Haas (Broncos)
- Liam Martin (Panthers)
- Angus Crichton (Roosters)
- Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
- Connor Watson (Roosters)
- Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
- Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
- Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
- Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
The loss of Mitchell to a foot injury is a huge blow to NSW because of his aggression and intimidation factor.
Maguire selected Newcastle’s Bradman Best over Joseph Suaalii to replace Mitchell. Best pulled up with hamstring tightness after Newcastle’s win over Canberra on Sunday and went for precautionary scans, but said he was “all good” and confident he would be fit to play in the decider.
“I just pulled up a bit tight from yesterday’s game. I flagged it with our physios [in Newcastle], and they obviously reported it to the Blues physios here [but] we’re all good,” he said.
“Just at the end of the game it got tight, it was probably because of the travel and the coldness, I reckon. The physios will monitor me, and it’ll be all good...Injuries are a part of the game, as footy players it comes with it and you sort of get your head around it. I’ll make sure I get my body right and be all good to go.”
Bradman Best is confident he will be fit to play in Origin game three next Wednesday night.Credit: Nick Moir
The 22-year-old has been placed on a reduced training schedule this week and will be closely monitored by the Blues physios.
Best was in the picture for Michael Maguire’s team back in May, with the NSW coach even making the journey up to Newcastle to meet him, but Best was later ruled out of Origin selection after picking up a hamstring injury in round 11.
Maguire referenced Best’s debut performance in game three last year when asked about his recall to the team.
“We saw what Bradman did in game three last year, and he has probably found himself back in that same form,” Maguire said. “He’s a big body, strong and quick and good on his feet. I also like what he’s been doing defensively. Bradman will bring what Bradman brings.”
Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton has been taken into camp as 18th man to cover at centre if Best is ruled out through injury.
Burton said Maguire was clear about his role in the team when he gave him the call to come into camp.
“Find out how Braddy is and hopefully, he’s all good to go, but we’ll see how things pan out, and I just prepare as best as I can and if anything did happen in the game, then I’m prepared and ready to go,” Burton said.
The Blues will return to their Mountains base on Tuesday afternoon before heading to Brisbane on Sunday as they try to win their first decider in Queensland since 2005.
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