New Zealand Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has pledged his future to the side after taking down Australia in dominant fashion on Saturday night’s Pacific Championships final.
‘Madge’ had reportedly agreed to coach the NSW Blues for the 2024 State of Origin series days prior to the Kiwis' first game of the tournament, leading to questions over his future.
The Premiership-winning coach inked an extension with the Kiwis until the end of 2025 and is also in the second year of a deal with the Canberra Raiders set to end simultaneously.
Despite the NSWRL reportedly giving Maguire the green light to continue with the Kiwis, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio revealed that it is still an unknown prospect whether he will continue in the role.
“As far as retaining both positions, that’s the great debate, (it’s) unprecedented,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“We have not had the head coach of a State of Origin side also remain as an international Test coach, that is what Michael Maguire will attempt.
“NZRL are yet to ratify that from their point of view, they weren’t over the moon that this story broke on the eve of the Pacific Championships.
“Time will tell whether they retain Michael Maguire as the head coach of the Kiwis.”
Riccio also detailed Maguire’s imminent announcement as the next NSW coach which is expected to drop by the end of the week.
“It’s the most critical appointment in rugby league at this time,” Riccio added.
“In a perfect world, NSWRL would have Michael Maguire in at headquarters signing the contract (on Monday), he was scheduled to be on a flight back from New Zealand to Australia early this week.
“I expect it to happen, certainly all of the discussions were with the NSWRL and Maguire was, get through the Test, get through the final then come back into Sydney this week and get this deal done.
“Originally it was discussed that they could potentially get it done (on Monday) I just don’t think that will happen… but NSWRL would love for that to happen.”
Maguire has coached 233 NRL games along with 18 Test matches for the Kiwis since his career in Australia kicked off in 2012.