Andrew Johns believes Michael Maguire‘s explosive sledge on Monday was calculated and pre-planned as part of a wider strategy.
The New South Wales coach fired a shot across Queensland’s bow when asked about allegations the Blues deliberately targeted Maroons fullback Reece Walsh in game one.
NSW debutant Joseph Suaalii shot out of the defensive line and knocked Walsh out with an illegal shoulder to the head after only seven minutes, ruling both players out of the remaining 73 minutes.
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Queensland coach Billy Slater was fuming about the incident but didn’t outright accuse Suaalii of trying to end Walsh’s night.
Other former Origin players from north of the Tweed, however, haven’t been shy in levelling such allegations.
At Monday’s press conference Maguire told the Queensland camp to “make sure you don’t live in glass houses” – a comment that’s since been linked to Slater’s own on-field tactics during his playing career.
The single comment has dominated headlines in the days since Maguire’s sledge, and Johns believes that is exactly what the coach was trying to achieve.
“They are talking about him, they’re not talking about the players, so it’s taking pressure off the players,” Johns mused on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
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“And it’s highlighted some of the stuff that Queensland did in game one, that I didn’t see. It wasn’t until they highlighted it that I saw a couple of things.”
In the wake of Maguire’s sledge, Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday aired vision of several incidents from Origin I where Maroons players got away with suspect acts against the Blues.
The commentary has thrown petrol on the fire ahead of game two in Melbourne next week.
“It’s a bit of spice, it’s been too nice the last couple of years,” Johns said.
“I don’t know how it’s got out, but on 100% Footy on Monday night (journalist) Danny Weidler showed about half a dozen incidents where it was niggle (from Queensland), it was grubby.
“So he’s (Maguire) thrown a little grenade.”
NSW legend Laurie Daley on Tuesday urged Maguire and the Blues to avoid making Queensland angry for fear of retribution on the field.
Former Blues coach Brad Fittler rarely threw verbal barbs at Queensland during his tenure, which ended last year.
But he agrees Maguire has taken a different approach for a reason.
“The other side of it is he’s supporting his players,” Fittler told Freddy and the Eighth.
“All the players have come out and said they were rapt he supported Joey (Suaalii).
“So the dialogue is they’re going to have each others’ backs.”
Maguire made five changes to his Blues team after losing game one in Sydney.
NSW must bounce back and win at the MCG next week to ensure a decider in Brisbane.