Maguire explains brutal Tedesco call, Hynes on track to play, Jake shocked to get captaincy

Michael Maguire says he has not discussed James Tedesco’s home state future with him after making the ‘difficult’ decision to remove the Australian Test captain from the New England squad South Wales.

Maguire said on Monday he made an instinctive decision in picking Dylan Edwards ahead of Tedesco for the Origin series opener, praising the Penrith fullback’s work ethic and the club’s success.

The move made Tedesco the first Kangaroos captain in history to be left out of his Origin team, after 22 consecutive matches for NSW.

Maguire called Tedesco to tell him the news on Sunday, but said he had not discussed with the 31-year-old whether he had a desire to win back the NSW jersey.

“We didn’t go into those details, he’s a champion and he plays good football, so it was a big decision,” Maguire said.

“It was difficult, but I understand why James is the person he is, he was excellent actually.

“I have the greatest respect for Teddy, he did everything in the game and I will remember what he said to me.

“But I can understand why he is going to become one of the champions of the game. He still has a lot of football ahead of him too.

Maguire said he had been won over by Edwards’ work rate, with a game against Cronulla on Saturday night sealing the deal for the Blues coach.

With Penrith already leading 28-0, Edwards sprinted from one side of the field to the other to deny Daniel Atkinson a 40-20, then beat a defender on his kick return.

The Panthers #1 then made another 20-yard run later in the set to help Penrith secure a line drop, before scoring a minute later in the same attacking raid.

“It solidified my decision that this is where we are going,” Maguire said.

“He is a player who has played at the highest level, he has played in four major finals, we all know his statistics and he has won three of them.

“He’s one of the most consistent players I’ve seen in a long, long time. I just felt in my gut that it was the right time to give Dylan the opportunity to play.

“These are always difficult (decisions), I have immense respect for all the players.

“But my job is to make decisions for what I think will lead the team to success.”

Hynes will get to work

NSW expect Nicho Hynes to be up and running ahead of State of Origin I, adamant the halfback’s problematic calf will not impact the Blues’ preparations.

Two days after failing to overcome Cronulla’s 42-0 defeat to Penrith on Saturday night, Hynes arrived at NSWRL headquarters on Monday as the state’s new number 7.

Blues officials are confident the 27-year-old will be able to train in his first full session on Wednesday, in a team full of new combinations and with 11 changes.

“He had a scan yesterday and everything looked really good. There’s no further damage and I think it looked better,” said trainer Michael Maguire.

“I think it will be up and running from day one. This is what we are working towards.

“We’re really confident about his situation.”

If Hynes were to have problems, it is likely that Luke Keary would be the man to come into the halves after initially being named as the 19th man for the Blues.

Maguire also supports Hynes’ ability to handle the heat at No.7.

He played just 12 minutes off the bench on his debut last year, and admitted to a missed tackle in crosses and the subsequent Blues ax rattling him.

The halfback has been among the best in the NRL this year but endured one of his worst nights in years against Penrith on Saturday before succumbing to a calf strain.

“He’s ready to go,” Maguire said.

“I’m really, really confident about how Nicho is doing.

“Listening to the conversations about what he’s faced in his career and what he’s learned, I can’t wait to see how he enters camp because he’s a leader.”

Maguire also defended his form rather than his heritage in several positions, while retaining a NSW jersey in his first press conference as Blues coach in camp.

Jake surprised by the elevation

Jake Trbojevic has admitted he is shocked to have been named the new NSW State of Origin captain, with coach Michael Maguire describing him as a man who embodies the entire state.

Trbojevic received the biggest cheers from a crowd of Blues fans when he arrived at the team hotel Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after learning he would succeed the sacked James Tedesco.

“I was very shocked, but I am also very proud,” said striker Trbojevic.

“I will play like I always do, I will be passionate and that side will come out in me.

“Being captain of the Blues will be a great experience.

“Obviously I’m not club captain, but one of my strengths is being passionate. I won’t change anything. And that’s what Madge told me to do.

Trbojevic said he had received no advice from Manly teammate Daly Cherry-Evans, with both men expected to take on opposing skippers.

In doing so, the duo will become the first club teammates to lead the two states in a series since Sydney Roosters duo Brad Fittler and Adrian Lam in 2000.

Maguire admitted Trbojevic may have even questioned his place in the team, before receiving a call to tell him he was now the Blues captain.

“You can’t ask for much more than when Jake talks about the jersey and the passion he has for it,” Maguire said.

“We are a great state. There’s a lot going on. People in the countryside, going through good times and hard times. And in town.

“Jakey, for me, is a big part of that, the way he speaks and the passion he has for what the jersey means.

“He probably didn’t know exactly where he was from a team perspective, but everyone can understand why people like to play with him.”

with PAA