NRL News: Blues release Maguire to join Broncos, Nelson a ‘massive loss’ but Storm feel like Tui’s ready to hit the spot


https://ift.tt/WkqJKin RoarOctober 01, 2024 at 12:56AMhttps://https://ift.tt/ja0qprh

Michael Maguire is set to be announced as Brisbane’s new coach, after his successful time in charge of NSW’s State of Origin team was officially ended.

The NSW Rugby League confirmed on Tuesday morning that Maguire had been released from his role as Blues coach, after just one season at the helm.

That will allow him to replace Kevin Walters as Broncos coach, with an announcement expected as soon as Tuesday.

In doing so, Maguire becomes the first Blues coach since Terry Fearnley in 1985 to depart the role immediately after winning his first series.

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“The NSW 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.”

Maguire had spoken at a luncheon on Friday about his plans for NSW in 2025, as they attempted to back up this year’s rare series win in Queensland.

But by Saturday morning, he had informed NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon of his interest in the Broncos role.

Maguire’s immediate challenge at Brisbane will be to pull the Broncos playing group into line, with questions around their attitude following last year’s grand final run.

The club’s drop to 12th place on this year’s ladder marked one of the greatest slides in premiership history, despite them having one of the NRL’s most star-studded rosters.

Maguire is also bound to face challenges from within the Broncos’ all-powerful old boys club.

Four years after Anthony Seibold noted their “agendas” on his way out of Brisbane in 2020, it is already clear things will be difficult for another outsider.

Broncos legend Shane Webcke last week questioned why the club would sack Walters. Gorden Tallis also slammed the decision on Monday night.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: NSW Blues head coach Michael Maguire poses for a photograph during the 2024 State of Origin Series Launch at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“I don’t think he (Maguire) is better than Kevin,” Tallis said on NRL 360. “The people who are running the club – Wayne Bennett wasn’t good enough but he was good enough for Souths. And Peter V’landys wanted him to build a club.

“Seibold, who has done a great job at Manly, he wasn’t good enough. 

“Kevvie wasn’t good enough. They keep on moving on coaches. The club is not going to move forward. Jack Gibson said winning starts in the front office.”

Tallis also claimed Maguire could “lose his number” as he would not be there to help him, given he was officially employed by the Titans.

Meanwhile, Maguire’s departure leaves the Blues back at square one after only appointing him as State of Origin coach last summer.

Paul McGregor looms as a potential option, while Danny Buderus John Cartwright and Andrew Johns are among others who have been on the Blues’ staff in recent years.

There is the potential NSW could be looking for two coaches at once, with women’s Origin coach Kylie Hilder’s job also under the microscope.

Tui to step up after Nelson ban

While disappointed to lose man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Melbourne are vowing their “next man up” mentality will ensure the prop’s role is ably covered in Sunday’s grand final against Penrith.

Asofa-Solomona failed in his bid to have a grade three careless high tackle charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary, meaning he will be on the sidelines for the Accor Stadium premiership decider.

The Kiwi Test heavyweight was charged following a tackle on Lindsay Collins in the opening minute of the preliminary final at AAMI Park which ended the Sydney Roosters prop’s game.

Standing two metres tall and weighing 125kg, Asofa-Solomona is a battering ram for the Storm, skittling players with his charging runs.

He’s also able to cause headaches for the defence with his offloads.

Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster conceded the absence of the prop was a big loss, literally and figuratively.

“For me, it is a massive loss but we’ve got some good players coming through, and they can do the role for us,” Munster said. “But yeah, he’s definitely a big hole.

“He just brings that presence in that middle and definitely brings a lot of aggression, so that will be sorely missed.’

Melbourne skipper Harry Grant also felt for his teammate, who had returned to some of his best form after a slow start to the season which prompted talk he could be traded.

“We know how important he is to our group, he’s been so, so good,” Grant said. 

“I can’t speak highly enough of him over the last couple months what he’s put into our team, what he’s put into the club and he’s really reaped the rewards and we’ve reaped the rewards on the field.”

Melbourne will name their squad later on Tuesday with Tui Kamikamica likely to come into the starting front-row, with Lazarua Vaalepu or Joe Chan likely to join Christian Welch on the bench.

Josh King, also a starting prop, backed any of the players in the Storm squad to cover the loss of Asofa-Solomona, who missed selection in the first five games of the season as Melbourne only lost once.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Nelson Asofa-Solomona of the Storm looks to pass during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on September 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Nelson Asofa-Solomona. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“We’ve used a lot of players this year, a lot of forwards, and we’ve got some really good experienced boys on the bench (Kamikamica and Welch) that aren’t even in the side as well,” King

“Whoever comes in will be able to do a job just as well as he did.”

Welch was only used for eight minutes in their win over the Roosters and said he would play whatever role was required in the final.

The 30-year-old watched Melbourne’s 2017 grand final victory from the stands – albeit due to a knee reconstruction rather than suspension – and said he felt for his teammate.

“From my experience, in 2017, it’s a very bittersweet feeling,” Welch told AAP.

“You’re so pumped for your teammates but you’re pretty devastated you’re not out there achieving that ultimate glory that as a player that you dream of. But Nelson is a real team-first guy.”

The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/7VMymlY News: Blues release Maguire to join Broncos, Nelson a ‘massive loss’ but Storm feel like Tui’s ready to hit the spot

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