Michael Maguire’s message was unmistakable following Kotoni Staggs’ impressive display on Friday night: had the Broncos coach still been at the helm for the NSW Blues, he would have selected Staggs without hesitation.
While Staggs has had performances this season that were even more notable than his contribution in the 32-12 victory over the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium during the Anzac Round, the formidable centre kept up his stellar form, enhancing his prospects for selection in the State of Origin opener on May 27.
He made 25 runs for a total of 119 metres, 37 of which were after making contact, and defensively, he was a dominant force against Canterbury’s left-side attack.
Remarkably, he achieved this despite dealing with a strain to his plantar fascia.
“If I were in that position [as NSW coach], I’d be picking him,” Maguire asserted when asked about the talented centre.
“That certainly expresses my thoughts on him.
“I see him perform at this level week-in, week-out, observing his training, his development as a player and as a leader. He’s outstanding.
“He simply needs to continue refining his game, and when the moment arrives, I believe he’ll earn his selection.”
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Staggs had strained his plantar fascia during the Broncos’ hard-fought win against Wests Tigers, 21-20, in Campbelltown last week.
“I was torn about whether I’d play tonight,” he told Johnathan Thurston in an interview for Nine after the match.
“I knew I had to push through. I couldn’t let the boys down for this one. It was all worth it.”
He jokingly told Thurston that he had “snapped” his plantar fascia – a comment that elicited a mock reaction from the legendary halfback, who pretended to be nauseous.
Johnathan Thurston interviewing Kotoni Staggs in the sheds. Nine
“You’re far tougher than I am,” Thurston responded, “because I know I’d be in a moon boot and on crutches.”
Maguire, who acknowledged he “may have a bias,” praised Staggs as “one of the premier centres in the game at this moment.”
“I certainly hope that, with what lies ahead, he is prominently mentioned in the [Origin] conversations,” the Broncos coach remarked.
“I have a deep understanding of that environment. For him to persevere through the challenges he faced in the past two weeks and to deliver such a performance for his teammates—that embodies the Anzac spirit. It’s remarkable to see a player fighting through adversity for his team.”
Staggs made one Origin appearance for NSW in 2022 while under Brad Fittler’s coaching.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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