New South Wales Rugby League has found its next coach, with Michael Maguire verbally agreeing to become the next Blues boss for the 2024 series today ahead of official contract signings.
Maguire has already started work on his backroom staff for the 2024 campaign, which he will lead in a part-time capacity, with respected Broncos assistant John Cartwright the first coach expected to come into the structure.
Click Here To Get Our FREE NRL Tips Every Week!
This deal that Maguire is expected to sign by the end of the week is the same that saw Brad Fittler walk away from the top Origin job; a part-time, 12-month-only agreement.
Ricky Stuart was the other top candidate but he decided to stay on with the Raiders.
The 49-year-old incoming Blues boss is a bonafide coaching veteran. Since stepping into the world of head coaching in 2010 he has helmed 303 first-grade games in the NRL with South Sydney and Wests and in the Super League with Wigan. He won the English championship in 2010 and guided the Rabbitohs to the premiership in Australia in 2014.
He has been a leading figure in the New Zealand international setup since 2018, coaching 15 Tests for 10 wins and five losses. His last role within the NRL was with the Tigers, where he was sacked midway through the 2022 season.
There’s a tough job ahead for him now; Queensland has won the last two series and QRL recently re-signed the man behind the resurgence, Billy Slater, for a further three seasons. Though much of New South Wales’ struggles can be credited to Fittler struggling to coach in the game’s top representative arena, Queensland is also shaping as long-term favourites again.
The 2024 series is already leaning towards another Maroons victory, with the bookies chalking them up as $1.75 favourites against the Blues’ $2.05.
Click Here To Get Our FREE NRL Tips Every Week!
Maguire is already working as an assistant coach with the Canberra Raiders. He will also remain the New Zealand Test coach alongside his new State of Origin commitments with the Blues.
