‘The jersey is everything’: Kangaroo conqueror Maguire ready to rally the Blues
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Michael Maguire believes he can transfer the spirit and camaraderie that took New Zealand to the top of world football to the State of Origin arena after being forced to relinquish his international role.
Maguire won 12 of 18 Test matches while in charge of the Kiwis, culminating in the side’s 30-0 defeat of Australia to win the Pacific Championships final. Despite orchestrating the biggest defeat of the Kangaroos, the NZRL board wouldn’t allow Maguire to simultaneously coach the national team and the NSW Blues, resulting in him stepping down from the Kiwis role. The NSWRL is poised to formally install him as Brad Fittler’s successor, potentially as early as next week, after back-to-back series losses for the Blues.
Maguire, who was also an assistant to Ricky Stuart at the Raiders last year, was confident he could juggle both representative roles.
“I always felt I could do both and my commitment never wavers from whatever it is that I do,” Maguire told this masthead. “I always felt I was able to manage both. To have the time I’ve had with the Kiwis is some of the greatest memories of my coaching career.
“I fall in love with coaching the players. I’ve always been passionate about coaching at the highest level and Origin is one of them.
“Moving forward, I now have an opportunity to focus on my next challenge. I’ve been working through a process with the NSWRL board and I will continue to do that. As soon as the matter is finalised, I’m sure the NSWRL will make a final announcement.”
Incoming NSW coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire, who wouldn’t rule out another stint with the Kiwis in the future, said he hoped to bring similar success to the Blues in the interstate arena.
“The jersey is everything,” Maguire said. “What you put in is what you get back, it’s for the people. We were fortunate from a Kiwi point of view to have the support of the Kiwi community and we’re no different in NSW. To get that wave of emotion, to have that trust and support, that’s what brings out those special moments.
“That’s something I was able to experience in Hamilton [for the Pacific Championships final], in moments like finals and grand finals. You want to bring that to the Origin arena.”
Maguire said the key to success at representative level was fostering an environment that allowed everyone to perform at their best.
Michael Maguire celebrates New Zealand’s Pacific Championships final victory.Credit: Getty
“I really enjoy creating with my staff and players that space where you have the ability to be you,” he said. “What I mean by that is you can be yourself and find yourself within that space, have trust in your environment. You have your ups and downs, but it’s about being comfortable in that environment.”
Maguire, one of the few coaches to win premierships in both hemispheres, paid tribute to his Kiwi staff and players.
“I’ve had a six-year journey for the Kiwis,” he said. “I remember when I walked into the organisation, we had some super talent there.
“I felt at the time they always looked at the Australian space, that it was a big task. To be able to finish where we did and have that belief now in the players, to be able to watch how they have built that culture of the Kiwis themselves, that was a vision we cast some time ago.
“I always knew that was in the playing group. To see the leaders of that last tour in James Fisher-Harris, Joey Manu, Jahrome Hughes, Joseph Tapine and Kieran Foran, there are some special players there.
“They have a lot of belief in where they are now and that’s something I’ve enjoyed develop in that playing group.
“Belief at the highest level of sport is one of the biggest things you can have. Now showing they are capable of performing at that level is a fond memory I’ve been able to experience with the Kiwi boys.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Most Viewed in Sport
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article