The Failings of Michael Maguire’s Absurd Seachange Will Not Be Forgotten and Should Not Be Forgiven: Nobody who reads these pages should be surprised that New South Wales lost the opening Origin and their only hope of winning the series before a player stepped on the field on Wednesday. Maguire severely hindered the state with his absurd team selections that were both as conservative as Tony Abbott and as ill-conceived as a Craig McLachlan stand-up routine. The team was too one-dimensional, had no balance and left the team weak through the middle.
Let’s start at the start. Maguire picked a clown who was going to rugby union (somewhat noteworthy are reports that the Wallabies ignored a Roosters 2025 signing for some Tests that are apparently happening) and that clown did a clownish thing and got himself deservedly sent off for a reckless attempt at a shot that whacked Reece Walsh in the head. Anyone who argues it wasn’t a send off is an idiot and anyone who argues that it shouldn’t have been a send off because it is Origin and ruins the spectacle is a bigger idiot. It was the most obvious send off of all-time and that is what one gets when relying on a bloke who is happy to sell his backside for a quick buck. Suaalii wasn’t in the best five options at centre and that is before we factor in the defection. His Origin career is now over and the shame of a seven-minute Origin career should sit with him as he does whatever one does for the Wallabies.
If Maguire’s complete failing as an Origin coach wasn’t on full display by the moment of the send off, it would soon be highlighted in full technicolour glory. Much like his predecessor Brad Fittler, Maguire was unprepared for the unexpected. To be fair, he seemed unprepared for the expected so what hope did he have? Leading into the game, Maguire was coy about not playing a back on the bench but said he had a plan. That plan was obviously to play backrower Hudson Young if needed. When Suaalii was dismissed, a back was needed. Was Young immediately brought on? No. Liam Martin and Angus Crichton appeared to have stints at right centre. Queensland scored two tries right down their left where Suaalii would have been and where a back with speed was required, setting up the Maroons for a comfortable lead that would never really be threatened.
Also like Fittler, Maguire’s rotations were horrific. Jake Trbojevic was named captain only to be forgotten on the bench, taken off after 25 minutes and then playing four minutes at the death with the match long gone. Reece Robson played 80 minutes and never got replaced by Cam McInnes. McInnes and Isaah Yeo combined for 95 minutes despite those two, Trbojevic and Robson being effectively the same person. The starting backrowers had just six minutes off despite two edge backrowers being named on the pine. The only effective bench rotation with Spencer Leniu and he only got 23 minutes. It was “let’s play Damien Cook in the centres all game” embarrassing.
Change is obviously required for the second game. With Maguire unfortunately likely to avoid history by being the first coach sacked after a single game, this is what he needs to do for game two with selections – and that does not factor in his lack of scenario planning, his one-dimensional game planning and his inability to get players on and off the field:
– Dylan Edwards gets his jersey back from James Tedesco if healthy
– Latrell Mitchell is the only choice to replace Suaalii so Maguire best swallow his pride and make amends with Latrell and South Sydney as soon as possible
– Mitchell Moses replaces Nicho Hynes, who was very poor
– Matt Burton replaces Jarome Luai because the Blues need a long kicking game – and if not Luai then Burton has to start on the bench.
– Api Koroisau replaces Reece Robson because even though Robson tried hard, he offers nothing in attack.
– Jake Trbojevic and Cam McInnes are dropped because the Blues already have Isaah Yeo and probably don’t need three locks tackling-only locks. Tom Hazelton and the bench back (Burton or Wighton or Walker). Stephen Crichton to captain the team.
– Dump Hudson Young for an impact middle like Mitch Barnett.
Will these happen? Unlikely. But they should if the Blues are going to get any chance after the disgrace of the series opener.
Terrible Tigers Face Darker Days: The Wests Tigers are a rabble. Their roster is a complete shambles, akin to Canterbury’s three or four years back. There is a disease among the veteran players and the younger players have few examples to follow. A complete cleanout is required. Shane Richardson is the right man to lead the charge. He has done it at every club he has been at. He knows what is needed to win. He knows the kind of players that can ruin a club. So bereft of talent and so heaped up with bad contracts, the Tigers have no choice but to undertake a complete and utter cleanout with a focus on bringing in a new culture.
Before we get to the players, examination does need to go to coach Benji Marshall. He does deserve credit for being a modern man, for trying to get a work-life balance. He does not need to bow to the News Corp hypocrisy. Going away midseason on a holiday though with the club in such dire straits is not a good look and does not set the right tone for a culture that needs greater work ethic.
The only players that should be on the roster come 2026 that are playing this year are Jahream Bula, Lachlan Galvin, Api Koroisau, Justin Olam and Stefano Utoikamanu with perhaps John Bateman. Isaiah Papalii has already signed elsewhere. Galvin has asked for a release. Utoikamanu is trying to get out too. That is a huge worry. There is little talent coming through. The club also has some obscenely bad contracts with the Fainu brothers copping $500,000 a year, David Klemmer getting $850k, Jayden Sullivan getting $500k and Brent Naden getting $300k. That is a quarter of the Tigers cap being given for almost negative output.
Richo can right the ship. He has made some astute signings. It is going to get rougher before it gets better though.
Tries For The Ages: The NRL always has magnificent tries. The game is built on it. But we saw some truly magnificent tries over the weekend and all of a very different nature. The individual brilliance of Alofiana Khan-Pereira, the amazing jumping tapback from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and the sublime kick from Grant Anderson were truly tries for the ages.
Ziggy Bulldust: You have to give new officials time to find their feet. They are never going to star in their first game. But be sure and certain: we have seen just about enough of Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. His double sin-binning of Chanel Haris-Tavita and Chad Townsend was utterly laughable. It was Chris Butler territory. He was flustered, he had no idea what he was doing but felt he had to do something. The stupidity of the decision was matched only by the ineptitude to grasp the moment. He lacks the temperament to be anything but a liability going forward.
Double Disgrace: The decision to disallow a try to Kyle Flanagan in Friday night’s clash between the Dragons and Tigers was ridiculous and furthers the notion that double movements should not be looked at in slow motion. Flanagan worked through the tackle, stretched out and scored. His ball carrying arm never hit the ground. The tackle was never completed. How Chris Butler and Adam Gee decided he did not score was utter madness.
The Greatest Women’s Origin of All: Thursday Night’s Origin between the Sky Blues and the Maroons was really one for the ages, arguably the greatest women’s Origin match of all. In torrential conditions, the Sky Blues dominated the match but could not hold on, losing 11-10 to Queensland after a sublime Tarryn Aiken try followed up by one of the greatest clutch field goals one could hope to see from Lauren Brown. Brown kicked winning field goals to beat the Broncos and Dragons last year. The women’s game isn’t on the up – it is there. These are tremendous athletes who play the game with intensity and skill and when it gets to Origin level, it is truly an outstanding spectacle.
Bring Back Kira: Michael Maguire is not the only NSW Origin coach buggering up selections. While her single failing is minor in comparison to Maguire’s, playing Rachel Pearson over Kira Dibb is mind-boggling. Dibb is arguably the best kicker in the NRLW, an outstanding organiser with a great running game. It is unclear what Pearson brings other than toughness. It was a bad, bad call.
Long Live The Honorary Kick: We do not see nearly enough of the honorary kick at goal these days. Typically afforded to retiring greats, it has also been used for milestone games. This week South Sydney honoured Jai Arrow, who nailed it. Great stuff. We need to see more of it.
2024 Field Goal Update – 17: No field goals this week in a sad weekend for the field goal.
Fun Fact #1: Michael Maguire found it necessary to publicly state he has withdrawn from the Eels coaching race.
Fun Fact #2: The Wests Tigers best young prospect Lachlan Galvin last week asked for a release.
Fun Fact #3: Zac Lomax’s 32 points against the Tigers is tied for the seventh most points in a game by an individual since 1947.
Willie M Team of the Week: This week’s team of fools, flogs and the feeble:
1.Tristan Sailor (Bri) 2.Deine Mariner (Bri)
3.Valentine Holmes (NQ) 4.Justin Olam (Tig) 5.Greg Marzhew (New) 6.Ezra Mam (Bri) 7.Jayden Sullivan (Tig) 8.Stefano Utoikamanu (Tig) 9.Phoenix Crossland (New) 10.Josiah Pahulu (GC) 11.Alex Seyfarth (Tig) 12.Brendan Piakura (NQ) 13.Keenan Palasia (GC) ————————- 14.Sione Fainu (Tig) 15.Kobe Hetherington (Bri) 16.Jack Gosiewski (Bri) 17.Jacob Alick-Wiencke (GC) ————————– Coach: Benji Marshall (Tig)
Betting Market of the Week: The chances Michael Maguire does the following:
- $501: Makes all the necessary changes for game two
- $3.50: Makes enough changes to give the Blues a chance $1.15: Belligerently digs his heels in and picks a bigger bench and six more tackling locks
Rumour Mill: The rumour mill is in overdrive around Brandon Smith with the Roosters reportedly trying to force out the Kiwi international. Royce Hunt, in the form of his career, is expected to ink a deal with South Sydney. Jack De Belin has also been linked with a move to the Rabbitohs.
The Coaching Crosshairs: The disgraceful home loss to the Warriors on Saturday night is likely to accelerate the Cowboys’ decision to move on from Todd Payten. While the club is unlikely to fire him midseason, they would be coming to the realisation that Payten is not their man and would be looking at options. Early betting would have Josh Hannay and Dean Young as the two favourites to lead the team in 2025 with Justin Holbrook also a runner.
Moronic Coaching Decision of the Week: Michael Maguire made so many bad decisions last week that it is tough to narrow it down to one but not playing a back on the bench like Matt Burton was always bound to end in disaster and naturally did seven minutes in. It was compounded by his ridiculous paralysis in executing his so-called plan to bring his faux-back (Hudson Young) off the bench and then switch Stephen Crichton to square up with the most dangerous centre.
Watch It: Rugby League lost arguably its toughest and most beloved figure last week when legendary Leeds halfback Rob Burrow passed away at just 41. A true product of the North – the son of a trade union secretary who grew up in Castleford – Burrow ended up playing a remarkable 492 games for the Leeds Rhinos during a glory era where he helped guide the club to eight Super League titles along with two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenge wins. He twice won the Harry Sunderland Trophy, represented his country 18 times and was made both an OBE and CBE. One of the smallest players to play the game, he had the heart of a lion both on the field and in his subsequent fight. If one video sums him up, it is his willingness to fight behemoth Epalahame Lauaki. Watch it here.