Laurie Daley invited former NSW coach Michael Maguire to give one last talk to the playing group ahead of the State of Origin series decider on Wednesday.
9News exclusively revealed Maguire had arrived in the camp on Tuesday evening to join the team for their final dinner before game three at Suncorp Stadium.
Michael Maguire arrives at the NSW Blues’ team dinner. 9News
Maguire knows all too well what it takes to be in Daley’s position as head coach of a NSW team that is heading into a series decider in Brisbane – he did exactly that in 2024, where the Blues claimed an epic 14-4 win over the Maroons.
Daley took over Maguire’s duties as head coach of the Blues shortly after that victory, accepting a full-time role at the helm of the Broncos.
With the series again tied heading into game three, Daley invited the former representative coach to reunite with some of his old players at a team dinner.
“It is a great gesture from Laurie Daley,” Nine’s Danny Weidler said.
“It shows that he has got no ego about him at all.”
Maguire’s arrival comes just hours after Daley answered questions about his future at the helm of the Blues, having yet to ink a new deal to stay with the side.
A number of NSW players have admitted that they will be playing for their coach when they run out on Wednesday evening, but Daley hopes that is not the only motivator that is driving his playing group to victory.
“I hope that is not their why,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think playing Origin is about who you are representing,”
The State of Origin series decider will kick off at 8.05pm on Wednesday.