Michael Maguire's Kiwis side have been out of action for some time. Photo / Getty
Michael Maguire's Kiwis side have been out of action for some time. Photo / Getty
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is confident his team can fulfil their ultimate potential at the Rugby League World Cup next year – despite being out of action for a long, long time.
The Black and White V hasn't been seen since November 2019, when New Zealand completed a 2-0 serieswin over Great Britain.
The faint hopes of a test this year were recently scratched, due to the ongoing Covid complications on both sides of the Tasman, which means the next possible outing is June next year.
That is far from certain – as the NRL are yet to confirm a representative weekend for the 2022 season – but would mean the Kiwis' hibernation would extend to almost 1000 days.
It's a difficult scenario, especially as the Kangaroos have the benefit of State of Origin to hone their combinations, but Maguire feels it won't stop the Kiwis from peaking at the quadrennial showpiece in England, which recently passed the year-to-go milestone.
"From talking to a lot of the players they have really missed the opportunity to come together as the Kiwi team," Maguire told the Herald on Sunday. "There is a strong bond that the boys really enjoy being a part of. It is something that has definitely grown from bringing the men together, throughout the campaigns that I have been involved with.
"[Next year] we have a massive opportunity to put the Kiwis up where we want…at number one. We will be ready."
The World Cup was a flashpoint this year, eventually cancelled after a protracted and at times ugly standoff between the tournament organisers and the NRL, who were backed by the New Zealand Rugby League.
However Maguire is "very confident" that the event will go ahead in 2022, citing the desire of the NRL and the International Rugby League (IRL) to make it happen.
"Obviously you can't control what is going on in the world but I know the game will be behind it," said Maguire.
Despite the demanding club schedules of the last two seasons, with lockdowns, relocations and extended campaigns, Maguire has no doubts that his players will suit up for the Kiwis this time next year.
"They would have all gone [this year]," said Maguire. "They said, 'Madge, if there is a World Cup now, we will go'. Not one player was hesitant about it."
The NZRL recently released a wider Kiwis squad for the Cup, along with a list of notable players bubbling under. It exposed the fearsome depth currently available to Maguire, particularly in the forwards. He already has a best squad and optimal 17 in mind, but it's fluid.
"I spend a fair bit of time writing down lists, but that may change depending on what happens moving forward," said Maguire. "I've kept in dialogue around where all the players are at.
"We have a very important year ahead and we want the Kiwi players to know there is a big opportunity in front of them; we want to make sure they are recognised."
Despite the recent inactivity, the broadening of the Kiwis base, as more New Zealand talent comes to the fore in the NRL, has been a plus.
"Depth is key for us," said Maguire. "It's a very important part moving forward."
He cites the improvement of prop James Fisher-Harris, who was a standout for premiers Penrith, as an example.
"It was spoken about in Kiwis camp, going back to club land and being your best," said Maguire. "With James, he has grown from the time in camp in 2019, being able to play with guys like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jesse Bromwich. He's a great example."
Much-improved prop James Fisher-Harris was a standout for premiers Penrith. Photo / Getty
Tohu Harris told the Herald in June that he was unlikely to play for the Kiwis again – with his focus on club football – but Maguire said the senior Warriors forward remains in the frame.
"The last time I spoke to Tohu – quite some time ago – he was pretty passionate about playing for the Kiwi jersey," said Maguire. "The way Tohu has been playing, he is very much in the picture, so it comes down to the timings and when the teams are selected."
Maguire was prominent on television screens over the past NRL season, as a central focus of Tales from Tiger Town, a four-part fly-on-the-wall documentary on the West Tigers.
"I prefer to stick to coaching," laughed Maguire. "It was something that the club was keen to do but I am definitely more aligned to coaching. I will go back to that quiet space [but] it definitely allowed people to see me in a different light. They only capture a certain amount of what goes on and they probably captured a few moments where emotions were high."
Maguire endured a difficult NRL season – "the challenges that you have in club land are pretty steep" – but remains as enthusiastic as ever about his Kiwis role.
"I really enjoy it," said Maguire. "I have got huge enjoyment out of coaching on the international scene and being able to [deal with] some of the best players in the game. It provides a nice balance."
