Madge Maguire - Mega Thread

[Kaito]

Thanks for posting @Lauren

 

[Geo]

Saying all the right things

 

[Demps]

Hope he saw the footage of Daine Laurie doing back flips on a scooter at the skate Park over the weekend....

Might need to rely on our depth a fair bit this year at fullback 😡😡😡

 

[twentyforty]

NRL 2022 coaching clipboard: Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire
Coach Michael Maguire tackles the big questions ahead of what is shaping as a make-or-break year for the Tigers, including the all-important halves dilemma.

James Phelps
3 min read
January 31, 2022 - 4:00PM

One of the most under-pressure coaches in the NRL, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire tackles the big questions ahead of the 2022 campaign.

**You have made some significant additions to your squad this year. Which recruit has impressed you the most?**

Jackson Hastings, Tyronne Peachy and Oliver Gildart are the more notable players we have recruited. They have all come in and added to the group with their experience and also their personalities. They have brought a fresh energy to the club and that is certainly a positive. The bonds between the new players and the existing players have really grown over the pre-season.

**Where will Jackson Hastings fit in? Is he competing for a halves spot or will he be used as a lock/utility?**

We have had Jackson working with the halves. In the spine we have Jackson, Luke Brooks, Tyrone Peachey and Jock Madden working hard with Dane (Laurie) so he can get a good understanding of playing with them all. We also have Jake Liddle and Jake Simpkin in and around No.9. Jackson can cover a lot of positions but he has spent a lot of time in the halves.

**How is Adam Doueihi going with his injury? When can we expect him back?**

We are looking at about round 10. We need to be smart and not bring him back too early. But he is looking good at the moment and is ahead of schedule.

**Tyrone Peachy is another player that can cover a number of positions. Can you tell us a little about what you are expecting from him this year?**

I have been really impressed with Peach. He gets in and works really hard on both his game and his connections with his teammates. I think he is going to give us a real point of difference. Whether we use him at lock or five-eighth, he is quite versatile and that versatility will give us a real point of difference. He has really jumped in and been a good voice around the organisation with his experience. He is also very motivated to do well with the players which has been really pleasing.

**You have also brought over an Englishman in Oliver Gildart. What challenges will he face in his transition into becoming an NRL player?**

Ollie is very skilful. He is also very fast. Adapting to the speed of the game may be his biggest challenge. It will just take a little bit of time for him to get an understanding of how the NRL is played. The big difference is adjusting to the speed of the game week in and week out. He has played the game at the highest level and has a wealth of experience, so I am expecting him to adjust well. He is also a great personality to have around the place. I am looking forward to seeing him develop and evolve. He has already built up some great combinations with others in the group.

**Are you happy with the squad you have assembled?**

Over the last two years we have been developing our squad with good young talent coming through. A lot of those young guys are now experienced first-graders because of the amount of games they have played over the last couple of years. Players like Shaun Blore, Daine Laurie, Stefano, Tom Mikaele and Jake Simpkin, they have all learned how to play week in and week out at the top level. We are starting to build a lot of games played together and that is a big evolution. And to bring in some older guys like Peach and Jacko to work alongside the senior guys, we have a nice balance.

**What has Tim Sheens’ role at the club been?**

Having a relationship with Tim prior to him coming to the club, whether it was coaching against him or being coached by him, has been a big advantage. He has done a lot in the background. He is building on the structures and pathways in and around the club. He is also great just to chat with. I am able to talk both about players and footy with him and I really appreciate having his knowledge to call on. We are both focused on making sure our club is a success in the long term.

Thanks for posting that Lauren.
Sounds like coach is delighting in having more options, then he has had in the previous 2 seasons.
Really looking forward to seeing the 2 English imports in action.

 

[tony soprano]

NRL 2022 coaching clipboard: Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire
Coach Michael Maguire tackles the big questions ahead of what is shaping as a make-or-break year for the Tigers, including the all-important halves dilemma.

James Phelps
3 min read
January 31, 2022 - 4:00PM

One of the most under-pressure coaches in the NRL, Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire tackles the big questions ahead of the 2022 campaign.

**You have made some significant additions to your squad this year. Which recruit has impressed you the most?**

Jackson Hastings, Tyronne Peachy and Oliver Gildart are the more notable players we have recruited. They have all come in and added to the group with their experience and also their personalities. They have brought a fresh energy to the club and that is certainly a positive. The bonds between the new players and the existing players have really grown over the pre-season.

**Where will Jackson Hastings fit in? Is he competing for a halves spot or will he be used as a lock/utility?**

We have had Jackson working with the halves. In the spine we have Jackson, Luke Brooks, Tyrone Peachey and Jock Madden working hard with Dane (Laurie) so he can get a good understanding of playing with them all. We also have Jake Liddle and Jake Simpkin in and around No.9. Jackson can cover a lot of positions but he has spent a lot of time in the halves.

**How is Adam Doueihi going with his injury? When can we expect him back?**

We are looking at about round 10. We need to be smart and not bring him back too early. But he is looking good at the moment and is ahead of schedule.

**Tyrone Peachy is another player that can cover a number of positions. Can you tell us a little about what you are expecting from him this year?**

I have been really impressed with Peach. He gets in and works really hard on both his game and his connections with his teammates. I think he is going to give us a real point of difference. Whether we use him at lock or five-eighth, he is quite versatile and that versatility will give us a real point of difference. He has really jumped in and been a good voice around the organisation with his experience. He is also very motivated to do well with the players which has been really pleasing.

**You have also brought over an Englishman in Oliver Gildart. What challenges will he face in his transition into becoming an NRL player?**

Ollie is very skilful. He is also very fast. Adapting to the speed of the game may be his biggest challenge. It will just take a little bit of time for him to get an understanding of how the NRL is played. The big difference is adjusting to the speed of the game week in and week out. He has played the game at the highest level and has a wealth of experience, so I am expecting him to adjust well. He is also a great personality to have around the place. I am looking forward to seeing him develop and evolve. He has already built up some great combinations with others in the group.

**Are you happy with the squad you have assembled?**

Over the last two years we have been developing our squad with good young talent coming through. A lot of those young guys are now experienced first-graders because of the amount of games they have played over the last couple of years. Players like Shaun Blore, Daine Laurie, Stefano, Tom Mikaele and Jake Simpkin, they have all learned how to play week in and week out at the top level. We are starting to build a lot of games played together and that is a big evolution. And to bring in some older guys like Peach and Jacko to work alongside the senior guys, we have a nice balance.

**What has Tim Sheens’ role at the club been?**

Having a relationship with Tim prior to him coming to the club, whether it was coaching against him or being coached by him, has been a big advantage. He has done a lot in the background. He is building on the structures and pathways in and around the club. He is also great just to chat with. I am able to talk both about players and footy with him and I really appreciate having his knowledge to call on. We are both focused on making sure our club is a success in the long term.

Dam I didn't want that to end.

 

[The Warrior]

I guess we will see how the team ebbs and flows throughout each game and through the season

 

[tony soprano]

Good article but I miss sheens.

 

[davey_farrell]

thats gold jerry gold!!!

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

 

[coivtny]

thats gold jerry gold!!!

Bania!

 

[tony soprano]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

Yep, he just couldn't do it all himself. Hopefully him and sheens work well together.

 

[the_third]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

Yep, he just couldn't do it all himself. Hopefully him and sheens work well together.

Both Madge and sheens have said they work together well

 

[Cobarcats]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

Yep, he just couldn't do it all himself. Hopefully him and sheens work well together.

Both Madge and sheens have said they work together well

I'm not sure how it all works.
Is Sheen there to steer the recruitment ship and ensure the coaching is also heading in the right direction.
Madge is starting to get a good roster to work with, hopefully he is getting his say on who fits the mould otherwise he's not what I call the captain of the ship, more like the first mate.
So if Madge has said to Sheens this is what we are lacking last year and Sheens has gone and got it done then that a well oiled machine hey.
Do you think that because we haven't heard about Madges involvement in these signing he's been told to concentrate on coaching and Sheens will get who we think is best.
In a perfect world the coach has the last laugh but because of his and the teams dismal efforts of late, it might have been taken out if his hands.
I really have no experience about how clubs are run these days.
In my day the coach and players were it, the rest were there to assist more or less at training and on game day.
Talent scouts role was huge, they were told the type if player the club needs and they went out and got them.
You learned folks hopefully can set me right with Madge and Sheens :]

 

[tony soprano]

The results will speak for themselves obviously. For me, when you watch 2010 Tigers they were so sure about themselves especially in attack. The past couple of years with madge they seem unsure about themselves who they exactly are in defence and attack. Whether madge can fix that remains to be seen

 

[the_third]

https://theniche-cache.com/rugbyleague/2022/1/15/aotearoa-kiwis-coach-michael-maguire-strikes-again-as-wests-tigers-coach

AOTEAROA KIWIS COACH MICHAEL MAGUIRE STRIKES AGAIN AS WESTS TIGERS COACH

Wests Tigers have signed Auckland's Starford To'a (Mt Wellington Warriors) from Newcastle Knights for an immediate move, which falls in line with a bunch of other Kiwi-NRL recruitment moves from Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire. I planted this seed back in September as Aussie media were in their weird Tigers frenzy and as I break down all the Kiwi-NRL wrinkles here, it's clear that Maguire loves Aotearoa.

As noted in the previous yarn, Maguire is also building out a hefty Indigenous Australian culture at the Tigers. Keep this in mind as I yarn through this from my Kiwi-NRL bias and all the good vibes that reside in the appreciation of Kiwi-NRL talent also applies to the Indigenous side of things for Maguire and the Tigers.

To'a has been a high quality Kiwi-NRL junior, cracking a bunch of NZRL representative teams before moving to Australia as part of the Knights' Auckland recruitment drive. After moving to Australia, To'a made the Australian Schoolboys team (just like Marist Saints junior Deine Mariner last year) and To'a then wiggled into the Knights NRL team as well as the 2019 Junior Kiwis.

After playing in the Under 19 Junior Kiwis team, To'a was invited to Aotearoa Kiwis camp in 2019 as a development player and guess who brought To'a into the Kiwis mixer? Coach Maguire.

To'a and Asu Kepaoa (Sacred Heart College) are like many Kiwi-NRL juniors in that they grew up playing together in Auckland's rugby league circuit. Kepaoa was also part of the 2019 Junior Kiwis team and as soon as it became clear that someone needed to make way at Sydney Roosters for Sonny Bill Williams' arrival in 2020, Maguire pounced on signing Keapaoa.

This summer there was also the low key move of Christian Ma'anaima (Glenfield Greyhounds) from Newcastle into the Tigers wider NRL training squad. I wrote this about Newcastle Knights signing a bunch of lads from Auckland and another clear trend has been the Tigers sigining the vast majority of their Kiwi-NRL talent from other clubs (as opposed to recruiting out of Aotearoa). To'a, Kepaoa and Ma'anaima are easy examples to throw up, although there is no shortage of such example.

As soon as Ken Maumalo's (Papatoetoe Panthers) future at NZ Warriors became murky like the mangroves, Maguire pounced and Maumalo was soon starting on the wing for the Tigers.

North Queensland Cowboys sealed a deal with Rotorua's Tukimihia Simpkins (Rotorua Boys High School) while he was playing 1st 15/1st 13 and making all sorts of rep teams in both codes. Simpkins moved to Townsville and into the Cowboys system, then this time last year Simpkins moved to Tigers where he made his NRL debut last season.

Simpkins and To'a share a similar journey to the Tigers. Highly decorated NZRL juniors, recruited by a club (Knights/Cowboys) then lured to Tigers in January/February ahead of the NRL season.

Junior Pauga (Glenora Bears) was a NZ Warriors junior who wound up moving to Queensland's Wynnum Manly Seagulls to play reserve grade. Pauga battled away with Wynnum and then Maguire snapped Pauga up mid-season last year to make his NRL debut. Kelma Tuilagi (Glenora Bears) also made his debut last season after leaving the Melbourne Storm system.

Israel Ogden (Mangere East) and Joseph Taipari (Halswell Hornets - Christchurch) are also sniffing around Tigers NRL footy as part of the NSW Cup group. Once again, the key thing here is that both were signed by the Tigers under coach Maguire from other NRL clubs who had recruited them from Aotearoa. Ogden came up through NZ Warriors, while Taipari was recruited by Parramatta Eels and played alongside Dylan Brown (Hikurangi Stags - Whangarei) in the Eels juniors.

The Tigers Jersey Flegg squad features Tamehana Paruru, Jarney Proctor-Harwood and Tray Lolesio who all played in the 2020 NZ Warriors SG Ball team. Maguire recruited them to play Western Suburbs SG Ball last year and they'll move up a level this year, while Samuel Kamu (Ellerslie Eagles) is also in this Tigers Flegg squad and guess what!?


Kamu was signed from Newcastle Knights. Kamu won the 2018 'Auckland College Player of the Year' while at Mount Albert Grammar School before moving to Newcastle and then wound up, moving to the Tigers Flegg squad last year.

Junior Tupou is a name to note down as well after Tupou joined the Tigers NRL squad from ACT Brumbies late last year. Tupou was born and raised in Auckland before moving to Australia at 14-years-old and sliding into the Canberra Raiders system where he made NSW U16 and U18, before a move to Super Rugby which resulted in Tupou being named in the 2021 Junior Wallabies. This highlights video falls into the right time-frame and features a highly athletic young lad that resembles Tupou - although I’m not certain...

All of these Kiwi-NRL lads are in the wider Tigers squad for 2022. Based on everything that we know about Maguire's Kiwi-NRL recruitment, it is no surprise that Maguire and the Tigers sealed a deal for Isaiah Papali'i (Te Atatu Roosters) for 2023 and beyond. The beauty of Maguire's Kiwi-NRL recruitment is the combination of certified Aotearoa Kiwis like Papali'i and Maumalo, Kiwi-NRL youngsters like To'a, Kepaoa, Simpkins and Tuilagi as well as deep cuts in the junior ranks.

When rocking the Kiwi-NRL goggles, it's kinda funny how blatant coach Maguire is using his Kiwi-NRL mana to fill the Tigers roster with lads from Aotearoa. Much of this stems from Maguire's intention to build a diverse culture within the Tigers, celebrating Maori, Polynesian and Indigenous Australian culture. Value is also a factor here and Maguire is finding value in signings like Jackson Hastings and Oliver Gildart from England, as well as pouncing quickly on cheap talent such as their most recent signing Starford To'a.

 

[Geo]

I assume he's saying things he believes in and knows to be true; not just the "right" things.

I’m sure he does..

Still need to cross the white stripe week in week out..

 

[Lauren]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

Yep, he just couldn't do it all himself. Hopefully him and sheens work well together.

Both Madge and sheens have said they work together well

Love this image of them

 

[Telltails]

Madge has copped it alot here and rightfully so however Stefano extending, Paps and Api coming - its clear something isn’t all bad with him onboard.

Lets hope he has alot better support from his assistants and the players play as a team this year.

Yep, he just couldn't do it all himself. Hopefully him and sheens work well together.

Both Madge and sheens have said they work together well

Love this image of them

Best possible outcome for the club is to have those two working together with mutual respect. Of course poor results will put pressure on them both, but our success will always rely on the performances of more than one man, both on and off the field.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I have zero doubts that Sheens and Madge can work very well together.
Madge needed stronger support, he now has it.
Sheens has zero intent on being a NRL coach and wants the club to be a success, usually when he wants something he has a habit of making things happen.
Sheens is giving Madge the cattle and some very big boppers are apart of that.
Its now over to Madge to really get the juices flowing and have the team get some positive results.