Former premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire will take over the reins of NSW in next year’s State of Origin series after being offered the role by the Blues.

The former Rabbitohs coach, who guided them to the 2014 premiership, is set to end his stint as New Zealand Test mentor after the upcoming Pacific Championships to focus on the NSW job.

Maguire’s intensity as a coach at club level has led to problems with players complaining about his demanding style at the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers and it may not be effective in a short-term appointment like Origin.

He is taking over from Brad Fittler after he resigned last month when the NSWRL scaled back the role, leaving with a record of three series wins from six years in charge.

Maguire was at South Sydney’s helm from 2012-17 and was sacked by the Wests Tigers midway through the 2022 season after an unhappy three-year stint.

He was part of Ricky Stuart’s coaching staff at the Raiders this season. Stuart had been sounded out by NSW about a possible return to the Origin gig but wanted to remain solely focused on Canberra.

New Zealand coach Michael Maguire. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Laurie Daley had also been questioned about a possible return as NSW coach while Broncos assistant John Cartwright had expressed an interested but no current NRL coaches put themselves in the frame.

Maguire has reportedly been offered a one-year deal by the Blues.

The Blues are staring down the barrel of a third straight series loss after Billy Slater has guided Queensland to a 2-1 series victory in each of his first two years as coach.