Michael Maguire is reportedly asking former New South Wales players to stop criticising the side as the incoming Blues coach tries to implement a new culture.
NSW are notorious for eating their own during Origin, with intense scrutiny never far away as perennial favourites find new ways to lose each year.
The Blues have lost three of the past four series, despite starting all as favourites, which ultimately saw coach Brad Fittler axed.
NRL premiership winner Maguire left his post as New Zealand’s coach to replace Fittler and he’s determined to change the culture in NSW.
Paul Kent has spoken to Maguire at length on the topic and explained on NRL 360 what the new coach is trying to achieve.
“We all know Queensland have the pick and stick, they’re always the underdogs, even when they’ve got three future Immortals playing in their team,” he said.
“But we also know part of the Origin narrative is NSW eat their own, ex players will come out and criticise the team, fans are quick to jump off the ship and say I’ve had a gut full of this and Michael Maguire, and it’s probably the biggest job ever undertaken by a NSW coach, is to try and rebuild that and turn that narrative around and I’ve spoken to him about it.
“It’s not trying to steal Queensland’s narrative, which a few coaches have tried in the past claiming we’re the underdogs and all that sort of business. But it’s just about finding their own identity and playing to NSW’s values and getting the state behind them.”
Former NSW player Braith Anasta asked if the Blues lost their identity under Fittler and journalist Michael Carryannis responded.
”There was some confusion around team selection, no doubt. And confusion around the players and their exact roles on the team,” Carryannis said.
“We saw sometimes when there was criticism of that, how defensive Brad Fittler used to get around criticism and if you’re a former player well you’re not supposed to have your opinion on what was going on. So I think there was a bit of a disconnect with the group and coaching staff at times.”
“One thing you can never question about Michael Maguire is work ethic,” James Hooper said.
“Here we are still in March yet Madge has been feverishly going to meet players, he’s so visible in this space and has been from the get-go.
“I like the fact he’s trying to change things (but) I’m not sure about telling ex players that everybody has to stick solid and are not allowed to have their own view, I don’t know if that will work.”
Kent disputed Maguire telling ex-players that but Hooper doubled down and said he’d been told personally.
“Well I think he’d like that to happen but I think what he’s done is as born and bred New South Welshman, as we all are, one of the most frustrating things is the amount of times NSW should win game, or be in the contest, or should win a series and don’t,” Kent said.
“Brad Fittler was there for six years and he should have won five. You could argue he should have won all six.
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