Coach Maguire set to swap Wigan for Sydney at end of season

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South Sydney are celebrating the signing of the Wigan coach, Michael Maguire, from next season. Maguire will still have a year to run on his Wigan contract, but it is understood that will not prevent him taking up an opportunity in the NRL.

Neither he nor the club would comment on the reports from Australia. Souths were also pursuing the St George Illawarra coach, Wayne Bennett, but he will take over at the Newcastle Knights instead.

The St Helens scrum-half shirt, recently worn by Sean Long and Kyle Eastmond, is being printed up with the name of Lance Hohaia for next season. The 27-times capped New Zealander has agreed a four-year contract, starting in 2012. Saints see the 28-year-old as the solution to the question of who inherits the mantle of Long, who departed for Hull 18 months ago.