'Still trying to deal with it': World Cup pain driving Maguire

Most days Michael Maguire's mind still goes back to that November night in Leeds when his five-year dream ended at the hands of the Kangaroos.

The 16-14 loss in the World Cup semi-final last year is a missed opportunity that still burns and is uncomfortable for Maguire to talk about, which is why his Kiwis contract extension announced this week, which goes through to 2025 and ensures he'll get another crack at a world title with New Zealand, means so much to the Premiership-winning mentor. 

"The hunger for myself exists because of the fact that there is unfinished business," Maguire told NRL.com.

"It was a tough day when I left the players in York after getting so close… they were bitterly disappointed.

"I think I'm still trying to deal with it now. It still sits inside me for sure.

You don’t get too many opportunities in your life to be in that position. It was a fantastic squad and the players were incredible on that tour.

Michael Maguire

"But I am humbled to be there again to take us to the next World Cup and take us to the result we set out to achieve last time.

"I have got a group of players who are really hungry to do the same thing."

To date Maguire has won 66.6 percent of his 15 Tests in charge, a record which has him on track to be the most successful Kiwis coach of all time. Stephen Kearney was most successful during his tenure with 54.7 percent.

After taking over in 2018, following the ill-fated World Cup a year earlier which saw the side exit in the quarter-finals, Maguire said significant progress has been made. 

"From the starting point to where we ended up, we came a long way in terms of what the jersey means, the hunger of the players, and at the end of the day the want from the Kiwi boys to be successful has grown enormously," Maguire said. 

"The real pleasing part in my time as head coach has been the huge development of the Kiwi players inside all NRL clubs. We have got players playing semi-final football regularly, players in leadership groups.

"Now we need to make sure we create Test matches, and I am aware the New Zealand Rugby League is working in the background on that.

"I am really keen to push for the opportunity for Kiwi players to have those games more often, so that when we reach the big games, they are ready to go."

Meanwhile NZRL CEO Greg Peters confirmed the contract allows for a return to a NRL head coach role at any time, with Maguire committed to remaining Kiwis coach should that happen. 

Currently Maguire serves as a senior NRL consultant on Ricky Stuart's staff at the Raiders.

"If he had an opportunity to take on a NRL team I am sure he would do that, and we would support him fully in doing that," Peters said.

"He has always said that irrespective of what his coaching career in the NRL is, if he's got a Kiwis contract then he wants to continue being an international coach with us, which is fantastic."