Michael Maguire continues feud with top NRL pundit ahead of Origin III

On Monday, after announcing his State of Origin Game 3 squad, New South Wales boss Michael Maguire gave an interview to NRL 360. In that interview, the Blues head coach hit out at pundit and former Queensland star Gorden Tallis for criticising his side’s tactics in Game 2.  

“Glass houses” says Maguire 

At the end of his NRL 360 appearance on Monday to talk through his Origin Game 3 side, Michael Maguire was asked about Gorden Tallis’ criticism of his sides’ performance in Origin 2.  
 
When asked by interviewer James Hooper if he wanted to respond to the former Maroon’s comments, Maguire accused Tallis’ of living in a glass house.  
 
“At the end of the day, they got their own opinions. I guess when you live in glass houses, they tend to throw things,” Maguire said.  
 
This is the second time that the Blues boss has accused someone of living in “glass houses.” Maguire also said Queensland and their staff were living in glass houses after Game 1 when he was accused of targeting Maroons’ star fullback Reece Walsh. 
 
Hooper pressed Maguire to explain what he meant by saying “glass houses.” 
 
“We’re focused on what we’re doing but you take into your memories I suppose about things that happen off the field,” Maguire said.  
 
“We had a player walk off the field and certain things were said,” the Blues boss added, referencing an incident after Game 1 where Joseph Sua'ali'i was goaded by a Maroons coach after he was sent off seven minutes into the match.  

Gorden Tallis responds 

The contentious interview was played for Gorden Tallis on Monday’s NRL 360. The Raging Bull responded, first by hitting out at Maguire for never playing in the State of Origin Series. He then criticised Maguire and the Blues of being thin-skinned.  
 
“All of us live in glass houses, actually he wouldn’t know he never played Origin,” Tallis said.  
 
Journalist Phillipe Rothfield interrupted Tallis after the remark, quipping “I so hope New South Wales win because I’m going to sit here on Thursday week with you on this show. Are you going to be okay?” 
 
The Raging Bull hit back at ‘Buzz’ and Maguire saying that “We can take a loss. The funny thing is that you guys can’t.” 

State of Origin Game 3 is scheduled to kick off on July 17 at 20:05 AEST at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The betting sites currently back the Maroons. PlayUp gives Queensland $1.85 odds to win, while the Blues are underdogs at $1.95.