LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has come under fire from rugby league legend Tony Kemp following speculation that he may take on the vacant NSW State of Origin role.
The NSWRL recently offered Maguire the opportunity to replace Brad Fittler as the Blues coach, but Maguire has yet to accept the offer.
He has made it clear that his priority lies with the New Zealand team, as he is "100 per cent going to the World Cup" with them in 2026.
However, if he were to take on the Blues role, he would also have to juggle his responsibilities as an assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders, making it a challenging task.
Kemp, a former NRL and English Super League star, expressed his frustration with the situation, arguing that the New Zealand head coaching role should not be used as a "stepping stone" to other positions within Australian rugby league.
He believes that the Kiwis should be seen as the pinnacle, rather than a pathway to Australian roles such as Origin coaching.
Kemp expressed concern that New Zealand may eventually become a tier-two nation in rugby league, as other island nations are gaining momentum and support.
The fallout surrounding Maguire's potential move to the Blues has sparked a debate about the importance of loyalty and national pride within the sport.
It remains to be seen whether Maguire will ultimately accept the offer and take on the challenging task of coaching both the New Zealand team and the Blues.