‘I’ve never met an overseas player with that insight into Super League’ – Warrington Wolves CEO ‘blown away’ by new signing’s knowledge

Warrington Wolves have made some big moves in the market already this off-season and 2017 World Cup winner Josh McGuire is one of those key signings.

McGuire arrives after over 250 appearances in the NRL but at 32 he still has a lot left to give as reported here. 

Despite this, it’s not just on-the-field value that he’ll bring to the Halliwell Jones Stadium this upcoming season, with values and standards away from the pitch of huge importance, according to Warrington’s Chief Executive Karl Fitzpatrick.

Speaking on The Official Warrington Wolves Podcast, McGuire gives reasoning behind his move and explains that a chance meeting helped convince him to make the switch to Super League.

“I was actually going to Magic round (NRL Magic Weekend) and was having a coffee with one of the football managers at Newcastle and good friend of mine from North Queensland Cowboys,” McGuire explains.

“Karl was just sitting with Mike as well and it just happened to be that we got talking, we were just talking football and it was never really on either of our radars… but it just happened and I’m so thankful that it did.”

Fitzpatrick also recalls this meeting and explains that McGuire’s huge knowledge of Super League and the English game helped sway him.

“One thing that appealed to us with bringing Josh on board when Mike and I met him, couple of things really that he’s touched on there, being a footy head and being obsessed with the game.

“His insight into Super League blew me away. I’ve never come across an overseas player with as much of an insight into Super League. He knew all the players, knew all the coaches and knew all the grounds.”

More important to Fitzpatrick though was the element that McGuire would bring to the dressing room and the squad’s culture.

“Second and most important was his leadership. I’d heard from people inside the game how he drives standards and how he leads by example. Just chatting to him about his values, his philosophies.

“We’ve probably lacked that here for a couple of years or not had enough of it.”

With captain Jack Hughes having left the Wire and this revelation from Fitzpatrick about the lack of leadership, it’s fair to assume that McGuire will play a huge role in terms of setting the Primrose and Blue back on track, whether that be with his on-field or off-field qualities.