Michael Maguire and former Brisbane Broncos star Karmichael Hunt have responded to reports they were engaged in a heated verbal exchange over the weekend.

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It is understood that the incident stemmed from differing views over how Billy Walters should have been used during South Logan Magpies’ QLD Cup match against the Brisbane Tigers.

Wanting Walters to play at hooker, Maguire exited his car and shouted instructions down to Hunt, the Magpies coach, who shifted the 32-year-old into the halves following an injury.

“They wanted Billy to play number nine and then the halfback or fullback got injured and they moved him back (to the halves),” Gorden Tallis said on NRL 360.

“Madge was there and jumped out of his car. I think there were words, but (I’m not sure).”

Speaking about the incident, Hunt insisted that there is no bad blood between the pair, saying his reaction was purely that of a coach trying to win the contest.

“It was clear that he (Maguire) wanted to see Billy at hooker. I was just reacting as a coach,” Hunt told CODE Sports.

“We’re trying to win our games and he has to win his games. Our fullback went down with a hammy injury and I moved a few players around.

“Madge called out to me over the fence and he asked if I could put Billy back in at hooker. It was only for a few sets. It wasn’t long at all.

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Michael Maguire has shot down talk of a heated altercation with Karmichael Hunt.Source: Supplied

“We do our best to help out our affiliate clubs. It was my reaction to do what is best for my team.

“It wasn’t testy between Madge and myself. My tone might have been testy because it was in the middle of a game.

“There’s no issues at our end. We know where we stand in the pecking order.”

The Broncos head coach, meanwhile. also dismissed suggestions that the exchange was heated.

Instead, he explained that he had simply asked the affiliate coach whether Walters could return to dummy-half so he could assess him ahead of an NRL recall.

Walters will return to the NRL this week for the first time since rupturing his ACL at the back end of last season and undergoing a knee reconstruction.

“I was sitting in my car because, as people do, they watch the footy. I happened to be behind Karmichael. Karmichael had an injury and Billy was playing nine, so he pushed Billy to seven,” Maguire added.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Hostplus Cup match between Brisbane Tigers and South Logan Magpies. Pictured, Billy Walters. Photo: Patrick Woods.Source: News Corp Australia

“I said, ‘Hey, K. Is there any way you might be able to get Bill back into nine? I’m keen to look at him for this week.’ “He said, ‘No worries.’

“That’s purely the conversation. Karmichael’s a good fella. He’s an affiliate coach and that’s what your reserve grade is.

“You’re allowed to have a conversation with your affiliate coaches. It was a conversation. I was trying to help him work out what he might be able to do. I said, ‘Mate, if he needs to stay at seven, he stays at seven.’ “Karmichael said, ‘Leave it with me and I’ll work out what I can come up with.’

“To the credit of Karmichael, he works well with us because I’m trying to give him as many players as I can so he can win, too.”

CODE Sports reporter David Riccio, addressing the incident on NRL 360, said Maguire was well within his right to make the request as he fights for his coaching future.

“Both Madge and Karmichael are playing it down and pouring cold water on it that Madge asked Karmichael (for Billy) to play a bit of hooker and get him out of the halves,” Riccio said on NRL 360.

“The Broncos pay Billy Walters his wages so (the) Broncos should have the final say.”