He’s manipulated the press, got under Queensland’s skin, rattled Billy Slater and upset Gorden Tallis. He’s made for this arena.
With each passing day of this year’s State of Origin series, it becomes clearer that Michael Maguire is an “Origin coach” capable of the madness and mind trickery necessary in this arena.repaired the relationship between Latrell Mitchell and his state, and now has NSW on the verge of an unlikely series victory despite the absence of the world’s best player, halfback Nathan Cleary, to a hamstring injury.
Within days of whisking his new-look team to their new base in the Blue Mountains, there were rumblings some of the players weren’t happy about being isolated and cold and not being in sunny Coogee. But matters were worsened by Maguire’s inability to plug their right-side defence. By the time Stephen Crichton was moved from left centre, Maroons centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had scored two tries.
Needing a win in Melbourne to keep the series alive, he picked all the players he couldn’t for game one: Cameron Murray, Mitchell Moses, Connor Watson, Edwards and Mitchell. Both men dismissed reports they had an issue, but Mitchell admitted to this masthead after Origin II that had he had ignored Maguire for a month.
Mitchell won’t play in the decider because of a foot injury with Maguire selecting bustling Knights centre Bradman Best as his replacement.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Madge’s miracle at the MCG is a never-to-be-forgotten Origin storyGambles paid off for NSW coach Michael Maguire whose team exploded into life like ‘an interstellar object’
Read more »
‘You worked that out’: Madge fuels fire as coaches grilled at tense Origin presserNRL: Billy Slater faced the media ahead of Game II in Melbourne, where he was asked about Madge's glass houses sledge.
Read more »
Why the best laid plans of Madge and men go awry in OriginThere are four players who’ll run onto the MCG that will be targeted by their opponents.
Read more »
Why the best laid plans of Madge and men go awry in OriginThere are four players who’ll run onto the MCG that will be targeted by their opponents.
Read more »
Why the best laid plans of Madge and men go awry in OriginThere are four players who’ll run onto the MCG that will be targeted by their opponents.
Read more »
Australian soldiers, PNG and an unnamed trophy: The true origin of State of OriginThe first-ever State of Origin game actually took place in Papua New Guinea, a timely discovery given the NRL is considering handing a license to the Pacific nation.
Read more »