Andrew Voss wants NSWRL to name Michael Maguire's replacement soon. Tough schedule for new coach ahead.
Veteran league commentator Andrew Voss has urged NSWRL to appoint Michael Maguire's Blues successor sooner rather than later. Voss's calls come as the NRL released the draw for next year's State of Origin series on Monday, with the new NSW coach thrown straight into the deep end with a series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28 awaiting.
Game 2 will be held in Perth on June 18 and the series finale at Accor Stadium on July 9. But not since a Tommy Raudonikis-inspired NSW toppled Queensland 8-6 in 1997, has a Blues coach won in Brisbane during his first game in charge and therefore whoever is appointed the next NSW coach has a tall task ahead of them.
Raudonikis achieved debut glory as Blues coach at Suncorp Stadium 27 years ago - 28 by the time the next Origin series is played. While Wayne Pearce (1999) and Ricky Stuart (2005) also made their NSW coaching debuts in Brisbane but both lost narrow affairs. Stuart's side went down 24-20, while Pearce's men lost 9-8.