McGuire not fazed by Cowboys move
JOSH McGuire didn’t see his exit from the Broncos coming, with the Cowboys pulling off a Fijian coup to prise the Queensland Origin star from Red Hill.
McGuire was holidaying with family in Fiji last November when he learned of high-level talks between the Cowboys and Brisbane to broker an immediate release for the Australian lock, who will line up for North Queensland in Friday night’s derby with the Broncos.
The Maroons ace had completed just one season of a four-year deal when salarycap pressures triggered the prospect of a shift.
McGuire fielded phone calls from his management, Broncos powerbrokers and the Cowboys to discuss a move he never envisaged.
Under a compensation deal, it is understood Brisbane agreed to pay an annual subsidy of about $100,000 – meaning the Broncos are paying part of his salary as McGuire looks to plot their downfall at Suncorp Stadium. As a Bronco, McGuire played 18 games against the Cowboys for nine wins and nine losses.
Now he will run on to Suncorp Stadium for the first time in Cowboys colours, insisting there was no bad blood with a club happy to release him to their Queensland archrivals.
“It’s just football, it’s my job,” McGuire said when asked about confronting his former Broncos teammates.
“I have been playing football for a long time. I know what to do and have played big games before.
“I’m still good mates with everyone (at the Broncos). There is a mutual rivalry, but I’m just looking forward to playing good football.”