New South Wales assistant coach Brett White has opened up about new coach Michael Maguire’s fresh selection strategy going into the 2024 State of Origin series.
White joins a new-look New South Wales coaching staff, led by former-New Zealand coach Michael Maguire, following Brad Fittler’s exit from the role after six years as coach.
White says the coaching staff are looking for specific characteristics in players that go beyond on-field performance.
“It’s all about character and grit which is really exciting,” White told Breakfast with Pat and Heals.
“It’s a whole new change down there, Madge (Maguire) has spoken about it publicly, it’s a new way of looking at it in the kind of players we want and the way we want to play.”
Despite kick off on Game 1 still being over a month away, discussions around Origin selections have begun to ramp up already.
White says Maguire is a great choice for coach.
“I’ve known Madge for a long time. I love his passion; I love his intensity,” White said.
“It’s going to be a really exciting one coming into Origin over the next month or so and just watching the form of players and see who steps up and shows that character we’re after.”
The NSW Blues have lost the last two series, and only won four of the past ten, leading to debates about the long-term positions of stalwart players amongst fans, which Maguire will have to assess going into the series.
Game 1 of the State of Origin series is set for June 5th in Sydney, before Games 2 and 3 are locked in for Melbourne and Brisbane.