Say what you will about Josh McGuire – and his critics certainly have – but the Queensland forward reckons he doesn’t care what people think of him.
Which is probably for the best.
Ahead of July 10’s State of Origin series decider, McGuire has been dismissed as a “human grub” and his on-field actions slammed as a “disgrace”.
Former NSW hardman Mark Carroll has been the latest to come out swinging, saying in his day the Blues pack would “fix him up” after McGuire’s late hit on Blues playmaker James Maloney in Origin II.
McGuire copped a one match ban for a swinging arm on the NSW pivot in the dying moments of Queensland’s horror 38-6 game two loss in Perth.
It even earned the ire of victorious Blues coach Brad Fittler post-match, with critics calling it a “dog shot”.
Remarkably that incident has been the lesser of his recent on-field evils, according to detractors.
McGuire copped criticism for being fined $3350 in round five in April for contact to the face of Melbourne star Cameron Munster – his own Queensland teammate.
And just last month McGuire was in hot water again when he was hit with a $4500 penalty after giving Manly centre Dylan Walker some facial treatment.
It has ensured McGuire will be public enemy No.1 when Queensland run out in the Origin decider at ANZ Stadium.
But the Maroons back-rower claims he is blissfully unaware, only offering a smile when asked about his on-field controversies.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I don’t read the papers or look at social media,” he told AAP.
“It doesn’t really worry me.
“As long as the boys enjoy playing with me and the coach wants me there, that’s all that is important to me.”
Asked if he was misunderstood, McGuire said: “People have an opinion watching me play footy but they don’t know me or had a beer with me.
“It’s the people who know me, it’s their opinion that matters to me to be honest.”
Still, McGuire hopes to rub NSW the wrong way by firing up the Maroons pack after they were steamrolled in game two.
Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace were cut after just one Queensland forward ran 100m in game two – backrower Felise Kaufusi.
Brisbane prop Joe Ofahengaue has been recalled after missing game two with a knee gash while Melbourne front-rower Christian Welch will make his debut off the bench.
“We didn’t complete high and we didn’t tackle well and when you do that in Origin, even if you are one per cent off, against a quality side like that they make you pay,” McGuire said.
“We had more guys who were off than were on in that game and that’s disappointing but we have 80 minutes to make up for it.”