'What you hear is all good': Yeo excited by Maguire appointment
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After years spent listening to his Kiwi teammates at the Panthers rave about Michael Maguire, Isaah Yeo is excited to see what the veteran coach can bring to the Blues in the Origin arena.
The premiership-winning mentor was officially confirmed as the man to replace Brad Fittler in the New South Wales role on Thursday, after stepping down as the New Zealand coach on November 24.
While yet to have any first-hand experience with Maguire, Yeo said everything he's heard from Penrith teammates James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota – who have both played under Maguire at Test level – suggests he will be an ideal fit for NSW.
"They have spoken about him a lot and just how good he is with the group, what he brings to the team and how the boys want to play for him," Yeo told NRL.com.
"I haven't had anything to do with him, but just what you hear, it's all good [stuff].
He’s really hard-nosed and you can see what he [did] for his players with the Kiwis. He keeps them accountable, but you can see how much respect the boys have for him.
Isaah Yeo
"Anytime you’ve got a coach like that, that people want to play for, it brings out the best in people.
"He’s had success at NRL level and I think he has been outstanding for the Kiwis as well."
Further to his accomplishments in the NRL, Maguire's six-season stint with New Zealand has displayed an ability to win with teams across short campaigns similar to what the Origin schedule presents.
Origin. In Melbourne. Need we say more.
Over 24 Tests in charge of the national team Maguire boasted a 75 percent winning percentage, which ranks him as the most successful Kiwis coach of all time.
Upon being announced as the new Blues coach on a multi-year deal, the 49-year-old said much of what worked at Test level will transfer to Origin, with the staff he has assembled around him key to ensuring the right environment is created.
“Being able to bring a group of players from all different clubs together for a short period of time, I have really enjoyed that part of the experience in the international space," Maguire said.
“Obviously I can bring that knowledge now to what we are doing moving forward.
“If we can create that then players come into the right environment to be able to find the head space to go out and give their best.
“When you have got the best players you just want to create the environment for those men to go out, and they don’t have to think, they just have to go do what they are very capable of doing.
"Allowing those players to express themselves is the key."
