Michael Maguire has left the door open for Mitchell Moses to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves for New South Wales but has refused to commit to one player with the State of Origin series opener five weeks away.
Maguire has left options open for the hotly contested five-eighth jersey, with half a dozen players still realistically in the race to wear the sky-blue number six, including Moses, the injured Parramatta playmaker.
Maguire remained cautious about naming Cleary’s partner, given how the availability of players may change due to injury or suspension over the next month.
“It’s all dependent on who’s available at that time,” Maguire told The Jimmy Smith Show.
“If it was three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have had Nathan (Cleary) or Mitchell (Moses) so I think one thing I’ve learned is I’m not trying to pick a team now, I’m picking a team in weeks to come.
“Mitch might come out and absolutely blow it away and someone might not be available so the opportunity is well and truly there… at the end of the day I’m enjoying talking to the players in the background and they know the expectations.”
Maguire also left the door open for Roosters’ winger Joseph Suaali’I to make his Origin debut before leaving at season’s end to join Rugby Union.
Suaali’I has been impressive to start the season, averaging 129 run metres per game and has 14 tackle breaks for the season.
“If he’s the best performer, I’d have no hesitations picking him,” Maguire said.
“He's put a lot into rugby league at the moment, and he’s available and at the end of the day it’s about winning for your state… at the end of the day it’s about living in the now and making the state proud.
“There’s origin players and it’s a step up… it’s looking at the players and understanding whether I believe they can make that step up, and that’s being able to handle the big moments in games.”
NSW will be looking to begin the Maguire-era with a bang when the series opener kicks off on June 5th in Sydney.