Rabbit out of the hat?
Michael Maguire looks set to be named as the new coach of the Kiwis.
The former Rabbitohs coach appears to have edged out Laurie Daley, with his extra experience in the NRL making the difference.
Maguire was sacked as Rabbitohs coach last year after a dreadful campaign, with just nine wins from 24 games. This season he had been working for the NRL as their high performance coach for referees.
Although his tenure at the Rabbitohs ended in disappointment, he did guide them to the NRL premiership in 2014, the first time the club had won the title since 1971.
Previous to his spell at the Rabbitohs, he coached English giants Wigan Warriors, where he won the Premiership in 2010 and Challenge Cup a year later.
During New Zealand Rugby League’s recruitment process, a key factor was to have a coach willing to stay with the team through to the 2021 World Cup in England.
Although Maguire said recently he is keen to coach in the NRL again, he has clearly demonstrated to the interview panel, led by Dean Bell, that he is committed to the Kiwis.
On the Fox Sports show
NRL360 a couple of weeks ago, Maguire said: ‘‘The international game has always appealed to myself to build, especially [a team] of New Zealand’s calibre, would be a great experience.’’
Daley didn’t hide the fact that he was interested in getting back into top coaching again by taking on the Kiwis, but his CV doesn’t match Maguire’s. Other than in 2014, Daley was unsuccessful as coach of New South Wales in State of Origin, winning just five of the 16 games
Stuff understands that the appointment panel, which consisted of Bell, Frank Endacott, Waimarama Taumaunu and Monty Betham, was impressed with Maguire. The NZRL is expected to make an announcement this week.