NRL 2023: NSW appoint Michael Maguire as head coach, Jack Wighton representative retirement, news, team selections, coaching staff, videos, State of Origin, Rabbitohs

NSW rugby league bosses unveiled Maguire as their new State of Origin coach on Wednesday, with John Cartwright, Matt King and Brett White as assistants.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi was also named as the team’s performance manager in a huge coup for the Blues have lost two Origin series in-a-row.

Watch sport this summer live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

Speaking on Thursday, Maguire said he was “big on form”, hinting he was set to make some big changes to his team when selection time comes.

However, the SMH is reporting that Maguire is set to gauge Wighton’s interest in a representative return after he opted out of Origin selection in 2023.

“When you’ve got a clean sheet you’re definitely going to chat to everyone that might be available to you,” Maguire said.

“I’m very fond of Jack. I had some quality time there with him at Canberra. He’s a big game player, everyone knows that.

“I’ll let him find his feet there at Souths and when the time’s right, we’ll have that conversation. I fully respect where he’s at and what he wants to do.”

Wighton has landed at the Rabbitohs as the club’s marquee recruit and is set to line up in the centres after mainly playing as a five-eighth for the Raiders.

The 30-year-old played 242 games in the nation’s capital but will now be surrounded by a star-studded South Sydney side which could enhance his game.

Maguire spent time with Wighton during his stint as the Raiders’ assistant coach and explained he will give the former Dally M Medallist time to find his feet.

“Off the back of that, when he’s playing his best footy, he’ll understand what he wants to achieve at a higher level. I’ll let that evolve as it goes,” he said.

Originally published as ‘He’s a big game player’: Maguire’s bold plan to entice superstar’s representative return