Michael Maguire has formally been unveiled as the subsequent New South Wales coach and already has some massive inquiries to reply within the Origin stress cooker.
Queensland have gained three of the previous 4 collection and recent concepts are wanted following the tumultuous Brad Fittler period.
Maguire emphasised on Thursday that kind over incumbency will dictate who he picks subsequent 12 months because the Blues attempt to win again the protect.
“I’m going to keep a really open page on where I go (with selections). I’m big on form,” he stated.
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“The biggest thing I’ll say to all the players is just to go out and play the best footy that you can play because that’ll play a big part in where we go as a group.
“When you’ve got people in really good form and they’re coming into camp with a positive mindset about how they want to do things, I go after those players.
“At the end of the day, I have a pretty open sheet.
“That’s the joys of being able to start fresh and allow the players to not have to think. I just want them to play, and if they do that then the performances will sort things out over time.”
Maguire has gained an NRL premiership, coached over 300 first-grade video games and New Zealand in 18 Tests, however turning the Blues round is likely to be his hardest process but.
Here foxsports.com.au appears to be like on the burning questions Maguire faces forward of the 2024 State of Origin collection.
WILL TEDDY COP THE AXE?
There will likely be a bunch of Blues gamers nervously questioning in the event that they’re a part of Maguire’s plans transferring ahead and the largest casualty might be skipper James Tedesco.
Tedesco struggled in 2023 and was by his personal admission was in career-worst kind earlier than a late-season resurgence noticed him maintain his consultant jerseys.
But with the star fullback now on the unsuitable aspect of 30, Maguire may look to the longer term within the place the place NSW boast outrageous depth.
Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell are two of the most effective fullbacks on the earth however have performed within the centres for the Blues since 2018.
But even when Maguire needs to maintain them there, he has a number of rising stars he may substitute Tedesco with within the No. 1 jersey.
Dylan Edwards, Scott Drinkwater, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Clint Gutherson and even Stephen Crichton would all maintain their very own at fullback for NSW.
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WHO WILL BE CAPTAIN?
Even if Tedesco survives the axe, it’s not unusual for brand new coaches to choose a brand new captain to stress the daybreak of a brand new period.
There had been a number of membership captains who performed for the Blues in 2023 however the workforce mainstays had been Cameron Murray, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.
Murray and Cleary, who will each be 26 when the collection begins, are the apparent decisions to steer NSW for the subsequent 5 years.
Maguire has picked co-captains prior to now nevertheless it’s probably he’ll let Cleary concentrate on the playmaking duties, with the halfback nonetheless but to actually stamp his mark on Origin.
That will probably depart Murray, who Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has beforehand earmarked as a future Test captain, to steer the Blues.
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WHO WILL PARTNER CLEARY IN THE HALVES?
There’s a bit to play out however at this stage Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker is the red-hot favorite to carry his spot within the halves.
After NSW picked Jarome Luai for Games I and II, Walker was given his probability in Game III and was near the most effective participant on the park within the 24-10 win.
It made many surprise if the Blues would have gained the collection had they gone with Walker from the collection opener.
Maguire introduced the late-blooming Walker to Souths and he made his NRL debut in Round 1 of 2016, with the pair nonetheless boasting a powerful relationship.
But Walker will likely be 34 by the point subsequent 12 months’s collection rolls round which may reopen the door for Luai or Sharks star Nicho Hynes.
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WHO WILL PLAY HOOKER?
Damien Cook is the incumbent No.9 however may have the likes of Apisai Koroisau and Reece Robson sizzling on his Heels.
Cook had a rollercoaster 2023 Origin collection – one most NSW followers gained’t neglect.
He missed choice for recreation one with former coach Brad Fittler going with Api Koroisau earlier than he was recalled for recreation two however was pressured to play 77 minutes off the bench at centre in a controversial resolution by Fittler that drew loads of criticism.
He obtained the nod at beginning hooker for recreation three and was strong with 32 working metres, one deal with busts and 25 tackles, one miss. Koroisau was the Blues’ first alternative earlier than a jaw harm dominated him out of the ultimate two video games of the collection.
The 31-year-old has a relationship with Maguire given he gained the 2014 premiership with the Rabbitohs below his steering – and if he produces the identical kind he did this 12 months he’ll little doubt be nicely within the combine.
Robson is simply initially of his Origin profession however proved in his two video games this 12 months that he’s constructed for Origin.
The Cowboys hooker began in his debut and produced a press release recreation – a attempt help, linebreak help, 66 working metres and 46 tackles with only one miss. He performed off the bench in recreation three and as soon as once more delivered.
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WILL MADGE PICK SUAALI’I?
Joseph Suaali’i could also be heading off to rugby union in 2025 however don’t count on Michael Maguire to miss him for Origin choice simply based mostly on that.
Maguire admitted in his press convention on Thursday that he’s “big on form,” which means Suaali’i can completely play his approach into the 17.
There’s a idea shared by some that the 20-year-old shouldn’t be thought-about for Origin due to his looming three-year rugby deal and as a substitute the Blues ought to maintain one eye on constructing for the longer term.
But as all coaches do, Maguire needs to win and if Suaali’i is the best choice on the wing or at centre then he’ll choose the Roosters teen.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
