Josh McGuire: Warrington Wolves axe overseas forward after second lengthy ban
Warrington's Josh McGuire of Warrington Wolves during the Super League media launch at Science and Industry Museum, Manchester, United Kingdom. Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images
Warrington Wolves have confirmed the departure of overseas forward Josh McGuire by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
A club statement on social media read: “The club can confirm that Josh McGuire has left the Wire by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
“McGuire has now returned to Australia with his family.
“We wish Josh well in his next chapter.”
McGuire made just seven appearances for the club, scoring one try, after making the move from the NRL on a two-year deal.
The 33-year-old was hit with his second lengthy ban in his debut season in England for unacceptable language against Leigh in Super League, receiving a 12-match suspension.
The former Queensland representative had to wait until Round Eight to make his competitive debut after being hit with a seven-match ban for the same charge during pre-season against Adrian Lam’s Leopards.
Josh McGuire 12-match suspension, plus Warrington recruitment
Minutes released by the Rugby Football League confirmed that the Round 13 incident involved a slur aimed at opposition winger Josh Charnley, who made a formal complaint to the official during the fixture.
Charnley, 31, reiterated his account of the events in a follow up statement which included the confirmation of a disabled slur.
During the course of the hearing, the match review panel admitted it saw no reason to disbelieve the Leigh winger, crediting him as a ‘impressive, credible and balanced witness’.
On the contrary, McGuire was believed to not have been.
Head coach Daryl Powell has previously stated that the club are looking into the market to bolster their forward pack, with Thomas Mikaele having also left the club to return to Australia earlier in April.
Warrington were most recently knocked out of the Challenge Cup in the quarter-finals against Wigan at the DW Stadium, despite playing against 12-men for the majority of the tie with Kaide Ellis sent off for a headbutt in the opening seven minutes.
Following McGuire’s ban, one of the longest in Super League history, Powell said on recruitment: “We’ve been looking hard anyway for probably a middle unit forward. It makes it more important.
“The boys are battling hard at the moment in the middle and Paul Vaughan, he’s doing massive minutes and doing a great job.
“Ultimately, it’s something we need to address.
“There’s nothing close at the moment.
“We’ve had a look at a few options here and Australia as well.”
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