New NSW coach Michael Maguire said form will trump incumbency when he selects his first State of Origin team, putting some of his biggest stars on notice.

Maguire unveiled his support staff after officially being confirmed as Brad Fittler’s successor at Blues headquarters on Thursday. The biggest coup is Frank Ponissi, Craig Bellamy’s right-hand man, as team performance manager. Other new staffers are former NSW players John Cartwright, Matt King and Brett White, all premiership-winning players who are assistant coaches at their respective clubs.

Andrew Gray is the physical performance manager and Sean Edwards will oversee strength and conditioning.

Several big selection issues include whether to stick with James Tedesco as captain and fullback, who will partner Nathan Cleary in the halves and also the left-wing spot.

“I’m going to keep a very open page on where I go. “I’m big on form. The biggest thing I can say to the players is just come and play the best footy you can play. That’s going to play a part in who is picked.

“When you’ve got people in really good form coming into camp, with a really positive mindset about how you want to do things [that counts for a lot. I’m looking forward to letting the players go and play and then we can have discussions around what’s going to work for NSW.

“Just go and play, enjoy doing what you’re doing. When the time comes, we’ll pick the team.”

We look at the big calls “Madge” must make to stop the Maroons winning a third straight Origin series.

It was the big selection storyline this year, and nothing will change in 2024. James Tedesco, the NSW and Australia skipper, has been the first player picked for several seasons. However, a rare dip in form coincided with an upsurge from fellow fullback Dylan Edwards and Scott Drinkwater. There will be even more competition for the No.1 jersey next year if Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Latrell Mitchell remain fit, while Stephen Crichton could be another contender if he plays at the back for new club Canterbury.

QOSHE - ‘I’m big on form’: Five burning questions facing new Blues coach Maguire - Adrian Proszenko
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‘I’m big on form’: Five burning questions facing new Blues coach Maguire

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30.11.2023

New NSW coach Michael Maguire said form will trump incumbency when he selects his first State of Origin team, putting some of his biggest stars on notice.

Maguire unveiled his support staff after officially being confirmed as Brad Fittler’s successor at Blues headquarters on Thursday. The biggest coup is Frank Ponissi, Craig Bellamy’s right-hand man, as team performance manager. Other new staffers are former NSW players John Cartwright, Matt King and Brett White, all premiership-winning players who are assistant........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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