He was the mastermind behind Queensland’s eight State of Origin series wins in a row, but Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has thrown his support behind Michael Maguire who has been strongly linked with the vacant Blues job for 2024.
Brad Fittler’s decision to move on as NSW coach has opened the door for Maguire to step in despite being in charge of the Kiwis and an assistant with the Raiders.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but a decision on the NSW job is likely to be made once Maguire has finished up with his New Zealand duties following the Pacific Championships final in Hamilton.
“I think if given the job then he’d do a terrific job because he’s a great representative coach as well,” Meninga said.
“He’ll bring the best out of those fellas, but that’s not my decision.”
Great club coaches have struggled in the Origin arena, and Meninga – who has dominated with Queensland and Australia – says there’s one thing that separates rep coaches from the rest.
“You’ve got to be passionate,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to play the first ever (Origin) game, and the enormity of that changed the face of interstate footy.
“I feel that’s the same with the international program because there’s so much passion involved, particularly around the Pacific region.
“If we sort of bottle that passion and keep playing international footy then we can rival Origin. That’s my dream and I hope it happens like that.”
Maguire wasn’t the only Blues hopeful to be discussed by Meninga on Friday morning, with the rugby league Immortal backing Dylan Edwards to make his Origin debut after impressing on the wing in the green and gold jersey.
The Panthers fullback has been touted as a potential heir to James Tedesco’s throne whenever the Roosters star eventually retires, but there could be a spot for him in the Blues backline next year given his strong start to his rep career with Australia.
“He deserves to be there,” Meninga said, with the Blues stacked with potential wing candidates led by incumbents Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr.
“He’s been hanging on the fringe because of James Tedesco, and I’m a big fan of James and what he’s done in the game, so that’s got to be respected.
“With his form in the NRL over the past few years, he deserves to play representative football.
“Versatility is really important at rep level, there’s no doubt about that.
“Dylan is a great fella and he’s a highly intelligent player.
“His footy IQ is enormous, he’s great under the high ball, his kick reception work which he does at fullback is really good and strong, and he’s good defensively, so he’s done really well on our left wing.”
Edwards will again start on the wing in the Pacific Championships final having scored his first international try in last week’s 36-18 win over New Zealand.
It’s set to be wet and wild in Hamilton, with the Kangaroos at full strength with Patrick Carrigan set to overcome a bad cork.
The Aussies have been backed to continue their winning streak over the Kiwis, but Meninga is expecting a much tighter contest across the ditch.
“They’ll be biting at the bit to get revenge,” he said.
“There’s no better feeling than revenge sometimes, so they’ll come out really hard and they’ll try to get ascendancy. All those sorts of things, we’ve got to counter that.
“They’ll come prepared. ‘Madge’ is a great coach who will have them well prepared and ready to go. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready for that.”
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