Former Wests Tigers star Elijah Taylor has lifted the lid on playing under Michael Maguire, declaring he was so exhausted after some training sessions he felt like an absent father at home.

Taylor, 35, played under Maguire at the Wests Tigers before moving to the English Super League in 2021 – but the lock forward clearly hasn’t forgotten his time under the hard-nosed coach.

The New Zealand international said his ‘hardest ever pre-season’ at NRL level was under Maguire and that the intensity was unmatched.

‘A lot of people are asking me what’s wrong with ‘Madge’ (Maguire), what’s wrong with the Broncos,’ Taylor said on Instagram.

‘One, his intensity. I’ve never seen a coach ride the game so hard.

‘After a win, the world is a better place. ‘(But) after a loss, you’re off to a funeral and someone will be getting cooked at the video session.

Former Wests Tigers star Elijah Taylor (pictured, in 2020) has lifted the lid on playing under Michael Maguire, declaring he was so exhausted after some training sessions he felt like an absent father at home

It comes as pressure is seemingly increasing on Maguire given Brisbane have lost four of their past five NRL games

‘Two, training methods. 95 per cent of the time on the field it’s full contact….and the hardest pre-season I ever did was with Michael Maguire.

‘Three, time efficiency. Let’s have a meeting for a meeting for a meeting. 

‘I’d get home from training and the kids don’t know who I am anymore. 

‘(I was) hardly home.’

It comes as pressure is seemingly increasing on Maguire given Brisbane have lost four of their past five NRL games.

‘Madge’ also came under fire after taking his players on a luxury Sydney Harbour cruise in the lead up to their last defeat against the Rabbitohs. 

Laurie Daley – who has replaced Maguire as NSW Blues coach – felt the decision to get out on the water was harmless.

‘I don’t see anything wrong with it, (there was) no alcohol involved,’ he said.

‘Bonding, it was a connection thing, for me personally, I don’t see an issue with it.’

There is also a reported belief among the Broncos stars that they are ‘over-trained’, which has been the internal explanation for their recent string of flat performances.