'Glasshouses': Madge bristles over QLD's Walsh claims
NSW coach Michael Maguire has fired the first shot ahead of State of Origin II, accusing Queensland of living "in glasshouses" after their complaints over the Blues' heavy-handed treatment of Reece Walsh.
Speaking for the first time since recalling Mitchell Moses at halfback and Latrell Mitchell at centre for game two in Melbourne next Wednesday, Maguire pulled no punches in defending his NSW side.
Queensland were furious over the Blues' tactics in game one where Maroons fullback Walsh was knocked out by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii just seven minutes in.
After Queensland won 38-10, Maroons great Johnathan Thurston accused NSW of unfairly targeting Walsh, who has been named to play at the MCG.
Reece Walsh was left banged up after Origin I in Sydney. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
But Maguire fiercely defended his side's approach and hinted the Maroons were no cleanskins.
"You've got to make sure that you don't live in glasshouses, that's all I'll say," Maguire said.
"Things happen on the field. Joey is a special human being, and for him to have to deal with that (wasn't on).
"He'll be in and around the camp at some stage, but things happen on the field.
"It's glasshouses ... Interesting.
"If you want to have a crack at our players, we're about us and what we're doing, and you've got to make sure that when you're with your players that you look after them. That's what I'm doing."
Maguire's fiery response set the scene for an intriguing game two as the Blues head to Melbourne knowing they need a win to keep alive a hope of clinching the series.
Maguire has made five changes to his side, with Cameron Murray starting at lock, Dylan Edwards taking over at fullback and utility Connor Watson named for his debut off the bench.
Moses ousts Nicho Hynes for the No.7 jersey after the Cronulla playmaker struggled to stamp his authority on game one.
Mitch Moses's form since his Eels return has thrust him back into the Blues' No.7 jersey. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
"I'm really comfortable with Mitch coming in," Maguire said.
"I'm really confident that over the discussions I've had with Mitch, and he's been there and he's had the opportunities or the experience that he knows what to expect."
Maguire also moved to shut down suggestions he and Mitchell had to patch things up before the South Sydney star earned an Origin recall.
Mitchell hasn't played Origin since 2021 but it is hoped his return can give the Blues an added edge.
"He's playing great footy and I think everyone can see that," Maguire said.
"You don't need to dig into that. He's got a smile on his face and he's got a lot of spirit with what he's doing, and that resonates through his footy.
"We all know he's a talented world-class player, and he's shown that, especially in the last month where he's growing to what Latrell can do."