28 Oct 2018

Maguire confirmed at Tigers

12:24 pm on 28 October 2018

New Zealand Rugby League say they have given Michael Maguire their full backing to add the Wests Tigers job to his role as coach of the Kiwis.

Kiwis coach Michael Maguire.

Kiwis coach Michael Maguire. Photo: Photosport

The NRL's coaching carousel has taken its next stop with Ivan Cleary released by the Tigers and Maguire confirmed as his successor for the next three seasons.

Maguire will continue his role with the New Zealand national team, a role handed to him after he was sacked by Souths at the end of last year.

The news broke after the Kiwis were beaten 18-16 by England in Hull this morning to go 1-0 down in the three-match series, and NZRL chief executive Greg Peters said they had no issue with Maguire combining dual roles.

"We were aware when we appointed Michael that this was the likely outcome.

"He made it clear to us from the outset that he wanted to coach in the NRL again as well as coach the Kiwis. He wants to develop a winning culture that takes us to the World Cup.

"He knows we have confidence in him being able to continue his vital role with the Kiwis in the current series against England and in the years to come."

In rugby league's worst kept secret, Cleary is now free to join son Nathan at Penrith on a five-year deal this week while Maguire returns to the NRL fold to continue the Tigers' rebuild.

A premiership-winner at South Sydney in 2014 and with a winning record of 61 per cent in both the NRL and English Super League, Maguire is viewed as credentialed enough to release Cleary from the final two years of his deal.

"Ivan oversaw a period of significant change at Wests Tigers and his work will leave a positive impact on the club," Tigers chair Marina Go said.

"This was a situation not of our making but I'm proud of the professional manner that the club has conducted itself.

"I believe we're now in a very strong position to move forward over the coming years."

A noted hard task master, Maguire turned the Rabbiotohs from perennial battlers into a premiership-winning force in his six years at the club, taking them to the finals in his first four seasons.

He will have a similar challenge ahead of him at the Tigers, who finished ninth last season amid Cleary's rebuild but missed the finals for the seventh-straight year.

"I plan on building on the strong foundation that has been put in place and work closely with the players' leadership group to build a stronger organisation on and off the field," Maguire said.

"The biggest appeal in taking on this role is being able to work with the leadership that has been built on and off the field at Wests Tigers.

"I want this club to be viewed as a long-term successful club that everyone wants to be a part of and this will involve staff, players, families, members and supporters."

Maguire is expected to return in time from the Kiwis' tour of England for the Tigers' first main day back at training on November 12.

- AAP, RNZ