'Menace' making it 'impossible' for Maguire to snub

Haumole Olakau'atu is fast getting to the stage where NSW coach Michael Maguire will find it impossible not to give him a State of Origin jumper. Olakau'atu was outstanding in Manly's come-from-behind win over the Eels, breaking the line several times and getting away some smart offloads. Had it not been for a couple of touches of class from the giant back-rower, it could have been a different story after Parra got off to a good start. The 25-year-old Olakau'atu is enjoying his best start to a season in the NRL and Anthony Seibold has brought a new consistency to his game. Maguire is looking for fresh blood and the Manly menace certainly fits the bill on current form.

Titans star made of 'Real origin stuff'

Titans fullback AJ Brimson played the final game of last year's State of Origin when superstar Reece Walsh was unavailable - and he is making it impossible for the Maroons to leave him out as this season's series approaches. Walsh will be the first man picked at fullback, but Brimson, who led the Titans to their fighting 27- 24 upset over the Warriors on ANZAC Day, is the ideal number 14. Brimson brings x-factor and strike power from the bench and can play virtually anywhere in the backline. After playing at centre and five-eighth already this season, he moved to fullback to replace the injured Jayden Campbell last Thursday and played superbly. As well as scoring two tries, Brimson saved two more and ran for 183 metres - real Origin stuff.

Knights 'secretly praying' Slater snubs Ponga

In recent seasons, Newcastle's goal was simply to play finals football. But in the wake of the Knights' stunning run in the second half of last season and the improvements to their roster, they are well and truly shooting for a top four spot this time around. The team that went missing midway through 2023 with seven losses in nine games roared into September like a freight train, winning 10 games straight - knocking off some big scalps along the way. Add classy English imports Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), premiership-winning half Jack Cogger (Panthers) and busy forward Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs) and the Knights appear to have all bases covered. The big question mark - and it could decide how far the Knights go in 2024 - is who will play in the halves. Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings did a great job last season but Cogger is also a class act who will push for a spot in the starting team. It leaves coach Adam O'Brien with a pleasant headache, and throw in Phoenix Crossland - a half who was converted to hooker last year when Jayden Brailey was injured - and the club has an embarrassment of riches in the playmaking stakes. The only significant losses are tryscoring ace Dominic Young (Roosters) and experienced forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington Wolves). But their departures have been covered with the recruitment of speedy winger Tom Jenkins (Panthers) and Cartwright.

Calls for Maguire to be axed amid NSW talk

Kiwi league legend Tony Kemp has demanded the New Zealand Rugby League sack Michael Maguire as national coach immediately if he gets the Blues State of Origin job.The highly respected Maguire is the hot favourite to replace Brad Fittler as NSW coach but says he is committed to continuing with the Kiwis and helping them through to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.Maguire's stance has infuriated the outspoken Kemp, who went as far as saying the NZRL should never appoint an Australian coach again."We should never have an Australian coaching the Kiwis and then allowed to take an Aussie job such as Origin," Kemp told Wide World of Sports."The Kiwis is the pinnacle, not a stepping stone for the Australian pathway system."Kemp is also angry at the way the 16 Aussie-based NRL clubs continue to pillage New Zealand for players."Australia are so concerned about their own pathways that State of Origin has now become Country of Origin," he said."The NRL know how important Kiwi players are to its competition and that's the reason it allows the clubs to waltz into New Zealand and do a hit-and-run mission on kids."We aren't even in the fight to retain 'Kiwi' hearts in our game or our 'Kiwi' way that has been built since 1907."I can see a time when New Zealand becomes a second-tier nation because the island nations are winning the hearts and minds battle over NZ and Aussie."The NRL needs to grow some balls and take over our game in NZ for the sake of the grassroots game."We are a tournament-based competition that promotes scouting and also a pathway for sacked NRL coaches to get back into the game."

Premiership winner to replace Fittler as Blues coach

Michael Maguire looks poised to take the reins of the New South Wales men's State of Origin team after Brad Fittler's exit.The Sydney Morning Herald reports the NSWRL has offered Maguire the job, while other outlets say he has informed his NRL club Canberra he will accept the Blues role.Fittler's six-year tenure in charge of the Blues ended last month when he turned down an offer from the NSWRL which would have seen him become a part-time employee.Maguire, 49, coached South Sydney to the 2014 NRL premiership. He also coached the Wests Tigers for three years, and is currently head coach of New Zealand's Test team.

Maroons' huge Billy coup as Origin future confirmed

Queensland legend Billy Slater has agreed to coach the Maroons for at least another three years.The rugby league icon took his time coming to a decision on his coaching future, but has put pen to paper to do the State of Origin job until the end of the 2026 series, he confirmed with Wide World of Sports.Slater, 40, took the reins in 2022 and has won the shield in both Origin series he's coached to date.

Blues shake-up confirmed as Fittler's key man quits

Change is happening at New South Wales' Origin team with Brad Fittler's key right-hand man stepping down.Respected Blues adviser Greg Alexander announced on radio on Friday morning he won't be continuing in the role any longer."I decided last week - I spoke to Freddy last week - that 2023 would be my final State of Origin series," Alexander told SEN's Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy."I know Freddy still wants to coach, still wants the job, so I certainly wish him well on that. But I'm done."After six years, and six I've got to say fantastic years - up and down, but that's Origin - the rollercoaster, seductive as it is to have another go ... I've just decided that that's enough."It's a big commitment, and I've committed elsewhere."Freddy asked me, 'Are you good to go again?', and when you hesitate you know ... it's not a job that you hesitate on."Alexander, 58, claimed he would have quit the job even if the Blues had won this year's series.NSW has lost the last two Origin series to rookie coach Billy Slater and his Queensland side.Fittler has not been given a new contract to coach the Blues, but is reportedly due to meet with NSWRL on Friday.Alexander continues to work with his beloved Penrith, with whom he played 228 games. He was one of the most exciting players to ever strap on a boot, being named the Dally M rookie of the year in 1984, player of the year in 1985, and was three-time halfback of the year.