Wigan fears as coach Michael Maguire is linked with Brisbane Broncos

Wigan Warriors have been dragged into the speculation caused by the surprise coaching vacancy at the Brisbane Broncos, with Michael Maguire being named as a likely contender for the job by sources close to the Queensland club. Maguire would be a younger alternative to Wayne Bennett, the St George Illawarra coach who was made the favourite to return to Brisbane when Ivan Henjak was sacked this week, and against whom he will pit his wits for the first time in Sunday's World Club Challenge at the DW Stadium. Ben Ikin, Bennett's son-in-law who spent five years at the Broncos and works in the media, told the Sydney Morning Herald: "From my knowledge of how the Broncos have operated over the years, I would think they are probably looking at four possibilities for next year – Wayne, Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart and Michael Maguire." The Wigan chairman, Ian Lenagan, has issued a preemptive strike, stressing that Maguire is contracted until the end of the 2012 season in the knowledge that the coach would inevitably be linked with any Australian vacancies that arise. The 37-year-old took Wigan to their first Super League title since 1998 in his first season after joining them from Melbourne Storm, the reigning world club champions, where he worked under Bellamy. Maguire has deadbatted any speculation regarding his future at Wigan, most recently in an interview with The Australian in which he nevertheless confirmed his desire to coach in the National Rugby League. "I am just looking forward to this year and doing as well as I can," he said. "Where it takes you? I am open to what goes on in the world. I think every coach at the end of the day, particularly if they're Australian, wants to coach in the NRL. "It's something I would like to do, but at the moment I am focused on making sure everyone is heading in the same direction at Wigan." Leeds, who have represented the Super League in the past three World Club Challenges, will be in action against Harlequins on Friday night in a meeting of two of the competition's form teams, but the Rhinos have growing injury problems. Brett Delaney will be out for six weeks and Carl Ablett for up to four after both limped out of last Friday's win at Hull, and the England internationals Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire have already been ruled out until late spring after knee reconstructions.