Blues coach Michael Maguire has hit out at Queensland rival Billy Slater, calling his team the ‘people’s team’, before taking aim at Maroons legend Gorden Tallis.
The Maroons cancelled their team’s scheduled media day on Monday, creating distance between themselves and journalists ahead of the deciding match in Origin.
Maguire, who had already irritated Slater before the second match with his comment about ‘glass houses’, could not resist criticising his opponent once again by calling NSW ‘the people’s team’ for not avoiding the crowd by restricting access.
“Yeah, okay, that’s probably the path they’ve taken. What I’ve learned in this role is that the Origin team is really about the people,” Maguire said.
“It’s the people’s team. I’ve certainly felt that in the enormity of the role and everywhere you go in NSW, the support of the fans and the people.
“The passion they have behind this team is incredible. And when you’re in this role, you obviously feel that.
“I see this team as part of the people’s team. It’s something that our group has embraced and we want to take everyone on this journey.”
Maguire also reignited the glass house feud by accusing Maroons legend Gorden Tallis of living in one himself after he criticised NSW’s aggression during their huge win at the MCG in game two.
Blues coach Michael Maguire (pictured) says his team is ‘the people’s team’ after the Maroons cancelled their planned media day
Maguire irked Queensland coach Billy Slater (pictured) before the second match with his ‘glass houses’ comment – and now he’s taken another dig at his colleague
Hours after naming his team for next Wednesday’s deciding match at Suncorp Stadium, Maguire came to his players’ defence on Monday for the second time in two campaigns.
The Blues coach said NSW’s alleged intimidation tactics in Origin II were just a form of rugby league that had to be played. He vowed his team would not give in in the series-deciding match in Brisbane next week.
Tallis was among those who criticised NSW’s aggression after the Blues’ 38-18 win in Melbourne.
The former Maroons captain blamed Latrell Mitchell for pushing Reece Walsh into the goal area when the ball was dead, and for hitting midfielder Valentine Holmes in the face.
Other issues in the spotlight include Stephen Crichton’s grapple tackle on Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson’s hair pulling on Jaydn Su’A.
Tallis, who is now a TV analyst, also criticised Maguire in the series, criticising the NSW coach’s playing history and his decision to bring James Tedesco to training camp for match 1.
Maguire responded emphatically to Tallis’ criticism on Monday.
“Gordy might be in that glass house,” Maguire said.
Maguire has criticised Maroons great Gorden Tallis (pictured in a 2003 fight with Ben Ross) for the disapproving behaviour he once displayed
It was the second time in this series that Maguire has referred to people in glass houses, and he was also frustrated by the Maroons’ claims that the Blues illegally tackled Reece Walsh in Origin I.
Tallis has been at the centre of several Origin controversies during his career, including ignoring Brett Hodgson, striking Adam MacDougall after he scored a try and being sent off for abusive behaviour by the referee.
Maguire said he was somewhat surprised that Queensland took offence to the Blues’ aggression, suggesting it has long been a feature of the Maroons.
“That’s where the glass house comes in,” Maguire said.
“When you talk about that, you look at Game I where certain things were said off the court. Where you (media) want to take that, that’s up to you.
“But we’re very focused on what’s happening on the pitch. It was nice to see that we had a dominant performance, but it won’t mean anything if we don’t do it again.
“We gave ourselves the chance to put ourselves in a series. That game is over now. Game III is coming up. And whatever comes our way, we have to deal with it.”
Regardless, Maguire said NSW would not change their approach for the deciding match.
“I don’t know if you would call (the way we played in Melbourne) bullying,” Maguire said.
‘We just played the style that rugby league should have. The first half we were very thorough, the second half we have to improve.’
Maguire also said he had not noticed Queensland coach Billy Slater feeling the pressure after cancelling a usual opportunity for a full team press conference this week.
“I don’t know why they do that. But the enormity of what the Origin teams mean to people, it’s the people’s team,” Maguire said.