Two of the most successful Kiwis coaches of the modern era have different views on the fate of current national mentor Michael Maguire, if he gets the New South Wales State of Origin job next
Kiwis vs Kangaroos: Stay or go? Two former Kiwis’ coaches give their verdict on Michael Maguire, if he takes NSW Origin job
On Maguire, Endacott is unequivocal.
“I believe he can do both jobs without any problem whatsoever – in fact, if anything, it helps him, as it keeps him in the game,” said Endacott, who combined his national role with jobs at the Warriors and Wigan during periods of his tenure.
“I know Michael,” added Endacott. “We would hate to lose him. He is one of the best coaches in world rugby league. We are lucky to have him and we should hold him. If he says he could handle it, then believe me, he can handle it.”
Endacott argues that international coaching is a special skill – compared with NRL – and it suits Maguire. He admits the Sydneysider is “a very intense person” but says that is diluted in the compressed international window.
“I’ve seen first hand how he coaches,” said Endacott. “He gets the players on board, really knows the game and the tactics and he understands the Kiwis psyche.”
McClennan takes an opposing view, believing that Maguire should step aside.
“It’s a huge job and good on him, he deserves a shot,” McClennan told the Herald. “But if he goes with NSW, it’s coming to a time when we need a New Zealander coaching the Kiwis again. All of our big successes have been with New Zealand coaches.”
“I know this will be an unpopular opinion but that is how I feel. I also thought we could have done better in the [2022] World Cup. The players were great but some of the interchange decisions in the [semi-final] against Australia weren’t good.”
McClennan backs current assistant Stacey Jones.
“I don’t know if he wants to do it or not, but it is coming time for Stacey to take over,” said McClennan. “He has had a long apprenticeship, under [Stephen] Kearney, Michael [Maguire], Andrew Webster and other coaches.”
However both Endacott and McClennan agree that if Maguire did retain both jobs, there wouldn’t be a conflict of interest, in the hypothetical case of a player being eligible for both NSW and the Kiwis.
“I wouldn’t question Michael’s integrity,” said McClennan. “Whatever he would do, he would do with integrity.”
Similarly, Endacott backed Maguire to make the “right call”.
“He is a straight up and down guy but he wouldn’t let any conflict override the best decision for the Kiwis.”
Maguire and the Kiwis have a rare challenge on the horizion.
For only the fifth time this decade, New Zealand will take on Australia in consecutive weeks, with the Melbourne game followed by a rematch in Hamilton on November 4. While it is standard in rugby and netball, it is unusual in league, especially since the demise of old style tours in the early 1990s.
The last time was 2010, when Kearney’s team faced Australia in Auckland, before crossing the Tasman for the Four Nations final. There was a similar scenario in the 2005 (Sydney and Auckland) and 2006 (Auckland and Melbourne) Tri Nations tournaments under McClennan, along with 2004 (Auckland and London) under Daniel Anderson and 1998 (Brisbane and Auckland) under Endacott.
“It’s the toughest thing you can do in league, playing Australia twice,” said McClennan. “It’s so intense. Once is hard enough but to back up and go again the next week….you’ve really got to do everything right and implement the improvements into the final.”
“The second game this year is not only a test match, it’s the final. So who will handle that the best. Can you win both? Of course you can. [But] I really hope the Kiwis keep something up their sleeve.”
Maguire has less room to move than Kangaroos counterpart Mal Meninga. He has named an unchanged 17 for Melbourne, while the Australians have rested four players for Hamilton, thanks to their superior depth.
“You try to win every test match, you don’t play around,” said Endacott. “If you get a win in the first game it’s a great feeling and it gives you confidence for the second one. But of course you would love to win the final.”
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns. He has also reported on the Warriors and NRL for more than a decade.