Michael Maguire’s message was straightforward following Kotoni Staggs’ impressive performance on Friday night: had he still been coaching the NSW Blues, Staggs would certainly be on his selection list. Although Staggs has had even more significant impacts in previous games this season, his strong showing in the 32-12 victory over the Bulldogs boosted his chances for inclusion in the upcoming State of Origin opener on May 27.
In the match, Staggs tallied 25 carries for 119 run metres—37 of those coming after contact—and he was instrumental in defending against the Bulldogs’ left-side attacks. Remarkably, he achieved this while dealing with a plantar fascia strain in his foot.
“If I were in that position [as NSW coach], I’d be picking him,” Maguire stated when discussing the talented centre. He praised Staggs for his consistent performance and growth as both a player and a leader, emphasising the importance of his ongoing development for future selection opportunities.
Staggs sustained the plantar fascia injury during the Broncos’ narrow 21-20 win over the Wests Tigers the previous week. After the match, he explained to Johnathan Thurston that he was uncertain about playing that night but felt compelled to support his teammates. “I had to get through it; I knew I couldn’t let the boys down,” he remarked.
In a light-hearted moment, Staggs mentioned that he had “snapped” his plantar fascia, prompting Thurston to feign illness at the thought. To this, Thurston joked about Staggs’ toughness, suggesting he would have needed crutches if in the same position.
Maguire, acknowledging his potential bias as a coach, labelled Staggs “one of the best centres in the game”. He expressed hope that Staggs’ performance would keep him in consideration for the representative team. “What he’s achieved in the past two weeks, battling through injury for his mates, embodies the Anzac spirit. Such resilience is precisely what’s expected at the Origin level,” he commented.
Staggs, who played one game for NSW in 2022, clearly has the qualities to make a significant impact should he be selected again. As he continues to showcase his skills, all eyes will be on his journey towards the upcoming series.