Cowboys stand up for under-fire Josh
JOSH Mcguire was firmly in the crosshairs of the Sydney media following the Maroons’ Origin decider defeat, but the Cowboys have defended their man labelling him an “easy target”.
Mcguire has not been far from the headlines since making his State of Origin debut in 2015, becoming public enemy No. 1 below the border.
He was again caught up in the animosity after Origin for a run-in with NSW Blues winger Blake Ferguson just before the half time siren.
The Daily Telegraph columnist and NRL 360 host Paul Kent described Mcguire’s verbal lashing as being “below the belt” and suggested Blues enforcer David Klemmer had to step between the pair and give Mcguire a warning on the way up the tunnel at the break.
It is understood Blues players and officials are filthy at Mcguire over the vicious sledge but remained tightlipped about its content after the match.
Cowboys assistant coach Josh Hannay came to the defence of his embattled pack leader, and said the club was happy he played with the aggression he does.
“Josh is Josh, we all know the character he is. He is probably an easy target,” Hannay said.
“I think he knows that he is going to get some stick for the way he plays the game. He plays tough, he is very upfront and honest about the way he plays the game.
“I don’t think he will ever shy away from who that player is, and we don’t want him to. He is as tough a player is in the game and an extremely good competitor. Sometimes I just think he is an easy target for the press.”
Cowboys captain Michael Morgan was on the field at the time of the verbal tirade and said he did not see Klemmer approach Mcguire in the tunnel.
Morgan also defended the aggressive forward and said he was the kind of player you didn’t want to be standing across the field from.
“You didn’t like playing against him, but you love having him on your team,” he said. “I am stroked he will be at the club for the next four years.”
Despite getting through a mountain of work in the middle for the Maroons, scoring a late try for the side as it mounted a comeback in the second half, Hannay said he expected Mcguire to take the field for the Cowboys clash tomorrow.
“I think he will front up on Sunday really motivated to play well for us, he missed our last game and he will be hurting from the loss on Wednesday night,” he said.
“He played a torrid game in the middle there. He is a guy that has always prided himself on backing up from Origin.
“I think we will find us a really motivated and determined Josh Mcguire to come out and play really well.”