JOSH McGuire is not worried about a Blues backlash after labelling NSW “losers” as he celebrated his first Origin series win.
McGuire and his young family were the victims of vile abuse on social media following Queensland’s Origin II win when he tweeted: “Losers have meetings winners have parties lol #qld #180”.
The 26-16 win at Suncorp Stadium was McGuire’s fourth Origin appearance and first experience of winning a series after he missed last year’s decider with an achilles injury.
McGuire, the 180th player to pull on a Maroons jersey, deleted the tweet following a string of abuse from jaded Blues fans.
The Broncos prop had a running battle with NSW captain Paul Gallen in a club game earlier this year and said he was ready for whatever the Blues dish up at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.
“I always expect attention from the Blues,” McGuire said. “I’m playing front row. It won’t be any different.
“I was very excited at the time and I just tweeted it. It wasn’t an attack on anyone. A few NSW fans were a bit up in arms about it. It comes with the job and territory. I’m not worried about it.
“I wasn’t trying to be a smart arse or anything like that. I was excited. I’d won my first Origin series. We earned the right to have a beer and celebrate our win after the game which is what I was saying.
“There was nothing in it really. People can take it how they want to take it.”
Sam Thaiday defended his Broncos and Maroons teammate, hinting the tweet was the result of pre-game abuse.
“If you read some of the tweets coming his way before that you’d know and understand why he vented his frustration,” Thaiday said.
“Moose has probably learnt what to tweet and what not to tweet now. He’s big enough and ugly enough to look after himself (on the field).”
McGuire, 26, ran for 122m in Origin II, which was his first opportunity at starting in a Maroons jersey given Nate Myles was injured. He is likely to move back to the bench if 30-game veteran Myles overcomes a knee injury in time for the dead rubber.
Regardless, McGuire is preparing for another showdown with Gallen, who was lucky to escape suspension earlier this year when he elbowed McGuire in the face.
A boxing fight between the two has been mooted and McGuire said he was excited about the prospect of facing Gallen in what will be the Blues skipper’s final Origin.
“You enjoy playing against the best players in the world and he’s definitely one of the best forwards in the world,” McGuire said.
“I enjoy playing against good quality competition and he’s no different. I got the ball a bit more in Game Two which was good. I had good fun.
“I didn’t feel like I won (the series) last year. I missed the third game. It was definitely a very special moment for me and my family.”
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