Former Kiwis international Tony Kemp says the NZRL made the right call by pressuring former coach Michael Maguire to choose between New Zealand and the Blues to avoid what he says would have been a “conflict of interest”.
Maguire is expected to be announced as the next NSW coach as early as this week after he resigned from his Kiwis role last Friday despite leading New Zealand to a stunning 30-0 win over Australia in the Pacific Championships final earlier this month.
The 2014 premiership-winning coach wanted to stay on as New Zealand coach to lead them to the 2026 World Cup, but reports have since emerged that former Kiwis players pressured the board to force him to pick one or the other because they didn’t want him developing talent at State of Origin level who could one day help the Kangaroos beat the Kiwis.
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“This has never been about Maguire,” Kemp told SEN.
“It’s about the Kiwi job being the pinnacle.
“It’s about someone using the NZ role as a stepping stone to coach for NSW, Queensland and Australia.
“NZ shouldn’t be in that position where their coach is (directing) talent into NSW, Queensland or Australian jerseys.”
Kemp said Maguire’s desire to lead both teams would have been a conflict of interest, with the former Warriors coach adamant that the NZRL didn’t force his hand.
It’s unclear who will replace Maguire in the role, with former Test players Stacey Jones and Nathan Cayless both in the mix.
“I don’t think he was pushed out because he was made quite clear on the scenario,” he said.
“It’s pretty black and white that Michael Maguire chose the NSW job because it’s the one he wanted.
“(NZRL) had every right to say they wanted someone who was fully committed (and) he picked NSW.
“He tried to coach NSW and the Kiwis and it was a clear conflict of interest (because) of the rules around eligibility (for Origin).
“You can have a Kiwi who can play for NSW or NZ (and) if you’re Blues coach, of course you want him for NSW.
“I don’t rap NZRL that often, but on this, I have to agree with them.”
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