The worst kept secret in rugby league has been confirmed after the Broncos announced Michael Maguire as their head coach following his release by the NSW Rugby League.
A Broncos announcement was made on Tuesday with Maguire named as Kevvie Walters’ successor at Red Hill following his sacking last week.
Maguire has signed a three year deal to coach the Broncos and will begin when pre-season starts in a matter of weeks.
The 50-year-old has 303 NRL and Super League games under his belt as a coach at Wigan, South Sydney and the Wests Tigers, including leading the Rabbitohs to their first Premiership in 43 years in 2014 and Wigan to their first title and Challenge Cup victory in many years.
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Maguire also coached the New Zealand national team for 18 Tests from 2018-23, moving them to first in the world rankings, as well as leading New South Wales to an Origin series victory earlier this year.
Maguire was introduced as Brisbane coach to a media contingent at Broncos HQ on Tuesday morning and he spoke about his “hunger” to lead a team to another NRL premiership.
“I’m not going to put a timeline (on a premiership) but I’m in a rush,” Maguire said.
“I’ll work every single day to make sure we improve.
“Winning a grand final would be extremely special but I know there’s a lot of work to be done starting today.”
Maguire, who left his contract with the Blues a year early to take up this new gig, was also asked about coaching Broncos and Maroons star Reece Walsh, who was knocked out of the first Origin clash by a brutal high shot from NSW centre Joseph Suaalii.
A reporter asked Maguire if there would be any bad blood with Walsh, with Maguire replying:
“Nah. I’m sure we’ll have a laugh about that one.”
In a wide-ranging press conference, Maguire answered questions on some of the Broncos’ stars, how the new job came about and his exit from NSWRL.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT THE BRONCOS
Maguire: I don’t want to have an opinion about what’s happened in the past. I’ll get to know the players first and staff. I’ve studied every single players who plays at the Broncos for a long time so I know the capabilities but it’s about doing it every day. The big thing for me is a player with talent but one of character as well. Character plays the biggest part of any success that I’ve had across the walks of had in any organisation.
ON REECE WALSH
Maguire: Well I want to get to know Reece. That’s the first thing I want to do is get to know him as a person. Like all the players across the competition, they’re all talented, but again, getting to understand him and how he reads the game, educating him to the way I’d like him to play like all of them. It’s not just around one player, we’re a team and you know there’s going to be certain expectations and standards we all work to.
ON ADAM REYNOLDS
Maguire: I’m really looking forward to reuniting with Adam. He was only a young player when I first had him and to watch him develop and now see him carry himself. He’s a family man, I love his values and I think that plays a big part in a club.
I’ll talk to Reyno about that (being captain). He’s a leader so firstly, I’ve literally arrived so I’ll get to the players and find out where they’re at and we’ll make decisions going forward but he’ll be apart of those decisions.
ON PAYNE HAAS
Maguire: Payne was incredible [in Origin camp] I’ve got to say. It was the first sort of time I got the chance to spend time with him and we know the incredible person he is but the knowledge I feel he and I can lift the group with. I saw him do it in Origin. He was a leader and in a leadership group within the Origin space. He spoke very strong about what he wanted in that space which helped me immensly… He’s very hungry to succeed, that’s what I like about him.
ON CRITICISM FROM BRONCOS OLD BOYS
Maguire: Happy for them to have their opinions. I’ll talk to both those guys, I’m happy to talk to anyone. Everyone has their own opinions but ultimately at the end of the day, we’re about making sure we can put in great performances on the field that they can be proud of that. That’s something there you can draw back on, they’ve been able to put history into this organisation but it’s about this current crop of players creating their own now.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy: When these things happen, there’s a lot of emotion and reaction. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t have that reaction given the connection those guys have. They’re on the wall up here winning comps together so I’d be shocked if it was anything else.
ON TIMELINE OF MAGUIRE’S HIRE
Donaghy: It was very quick. Once we were in position last week where an outcome was reached, the first person I called was Michael and I was pleased that he had a level of interest to want to get back in the arena. He’s a professional coach who has experience spanning over a couple of decades… The conversations happened really quickly to the point that we were able to announce Michael as head coach this morning which we’re delighted about.
ON LEAVING BLUES JOB
Maguire: I’d thank to thank them (Blues fans). It was an incredible ride that we had together and I’d like to think that there are things in place so they go on. It’s not just about one person, it’s about the coaching group, the playing group. They created what was seen there and I thank them very much for the opportunities. I made it very clear that I am a coach and I always wanted to get back into the club level. Everyone was very aware what may transpire. Did I think it was going to be as quick? No, but the opportunity [presented itself].
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Maguire’s hire came after the NSWRL officially announced Maguire’s release from the final year of his contract.
“The New South Wales Rugby League Board has agreed to a request from Michael Maguire to be immediately released from his contract,” the NSWRL said in a statement.
“The organisation wishes to acknowledge a successful tenure on the part of Michael Maguire culminating in the 2024 State of Origin series win. We wish Michael and his family the very best for the future.
“NSWRL will commence a recruitment process to appoint a new coach in due course. The organisation will be making no further comment at this time.”
NSW Blues release Michael Maguire | 00:21
Source Agencies
