Triumphant NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire believes modern day NRL stars live a life where their daily existence is ‘magnified by social media’ – and is thankful the likes of Facebook, TikTok and Instagram weren’t around in his playing days.
The man affectionately known as ‘Madge’ also couldn’t split the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers when quizzed on who he thinks will end up premiers next month at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
‘For the guys in today’s game….life is magnified via social media,’ Maguire told Daily Mail Australia in a sit-down interview on Friday.
‘It certainly offers a platform with fans…. but it was very different in my day.
‘People do seem to forget [sometimes] there are plenty of good characters in the game.’
Before coaching the Blues to victory at Origin level this year, Maguire was a utility back with the likes of Canberra and the defunct Adelaide Rams in the Super League when lacing his boots.
The 50-year-old then shifted to the coaches box as an assistant to Mal Meninga and Matthew Elliott at the Raiders before moving to Melbourne to work under Craig Bellamy.
Wigan Warriors then came calling ahead of the 2010 UK Super League season, and Maguire delivered, winning the minor premiership and grand final double in his first season at the helm.
NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire (right) believes modern-day NRL stars live a life where their daily existence is ‘magnified by social media’
It comes after Maguire, affectionately known as ‘Madge’, orchestrated an impressive Origin series victory for NSW over Queensland this year
Connor Watson was a bold selection in the eyes of some Blues fans – but Maguire had no doubt the hooker would hold his own in rugby league’s toughest arena (pictured, after winning the series in Brisbane)
Maguire appointing Jake Trbojevic (left) to captain the NSW Blues proved to be a masterstroke
The achievement didn’t go un-noticed with NRL clubs, and in 2012 Maguire took over as head coach of South Sydney.
Two years later he entrenched himself in Rabbitohs folklore after winning the NRL premiership in what was a commanding performance in the grand final against the Bulldogs.
‘It was a great group of players, but I wouldn’t say it was a stacked team,’ he said when looking back at the decider almost a decade ago.
‘Sure, we had guys like Sam [Burgess] and Greg [Inglis], but what I enjoyed was developing guys like Dylan [Walker], [Luke] Keary and Api Koroisau.
‘We have all seen what those guys have gone onto achieve in the game.’
After departing Redfern in 2017, next was a challenging stint at the Wests Tigers.
Success was hard to come by at the joint venture club, but Maguire stressed he was fortunate to ‘meet some incredible people who he connected with’.
‘Times were challenging, but that’s life,’ he said when reflecting on his tenure at Concord.
In 2014, Maguire entrenched himself in Rabbitohs folklore after winning the NRL premiership (pictured)
Lean times then followed when Maguire was head coach of the embattled Wests Tigers
Maguire was keen to juggle both roles in charge of the Kiwis and NSW Blues, but an ultimatum delivered by the New Zealand rugby league board saw him focus solely on the Origin arena
Maguire believes the NRL premiership is a two-horse race between Melbourne and Penrith – but is excited about watching Nicho Hynes and the Sharks during the finals series
After coaching the Kiwis to a 30-0 win over the Kangaroos in the Pacific Championships final last year, Maguire’s coaching stocks once again were on the rise.
He then replaced Brad Fittler as NSW Blues head coach in December, and while Maguire was keen to juggle both representative roles, an ultimatum delivered by the New Zealand rugby league board saw him focus solely on the Origin arena.
Joseph Sua’ali’s sending off inside the first 10 minutes at Accor Stadium following a high tackle on Reece Walsh saw Queensland romp to victory in the series opener, but Maguire wasn’t worried.
He had faith in his squad – and admitted the subsequent ‘glass houses’ comments directed at Billy Slater wasn’t deliberate – it just snowballed as the mind games intensified leading into game two at the MCG.
‘The key for me in terms of our success was how the players bought in….. their passion was obvious, they wanted to create history,’ he said.
‘You always hear about Queensland DNA…well we decided it was time to project Blues DNA.. from captain Jake Trbojevic to the support staff, everyone was on the same page.’
In terms of his future, Maguire is happy to keep coaching NSW, but admitted returning to the NRL as a head coach remains a goal.
He also couldn’t split Penrith or Melbourne, when it comes to the 2024 NRL premiers.
‘I look at three things….the health of teams at this time of year, their spine and defence,’ he said.
‘You would think Penrith will be there, as the Storm look like they are building.
‘I am looking forward to seeing what Nicho [Hynes] can do with the Sharks, he is a very good player.’