The All Blacks have made only one change to thier starting 15, Councillors are looking at knocking down the Michael Fowler Centre and MetService says a cold front from Antarctica has hit. Video / NZ Herald
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 season.
Maguire, who is currently preparing the New Zealand team to face the Kangaroos onSaturday in Melbourne (10.10pm), is widely tipped as the next Blues coach, taking over from Brad Fittler. Maguire has refused to comment on that possibility but is adamant he will see out his current Kiwis contract, which runs until the next World Cup in 2026.
The New Zealand Rugby League board will meet at the conclusion of the Pacific Cup to discuss that scenario. But what about those who have been in the chair?
Frank Endacott believes the NZRL should do everything possible to keep Maguire, while Brian McClennan feels it will be time for a change if Maguire accepts the interstate job. Their perspectives carry weight.
Endacott achieved 22 wins in 35 tests during his seven year tenure, including three memorable victories over Australia (1997, 1998 and 1999) and a rare series win in England in 1998. McClennan masterminded the famous 2005 Tri Nations triumph – which included a drought breaking victory in Sydney and the stunning 24-0 final victory in Leeds – and the return to the 2006 decider, lost in double extra time.
Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire. Photo / Photosport
“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.”
Former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott NEW ZEALAND HERALD PHOTO BY PAUL ESTCOURT 12MAY2004
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.
Former New Zealand Kiwi rugby league coach Brian McClennan. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Brett Phibbs
“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.
