Having played two tests for Toa Samoa at the age of 20, McGuire's representative allegiances have been a bone of contention pretty much ever since. Under the current rules a player is permitted to make one change to their country of choice per World Cup cycle, meaning he can turn out for Samoa in the Four Nations and still play for Queensland and Australia in the future.
But had he made that call earlier in the year for Samoa's mid-year clash with Fiji a 32-16 win that earned them a call-up to the Four Nations then he would have used up his switch, and according to Maroons insiders, have placed a future Origin spot in jeopardy.
It's a dance McGuire's getting somewhat used to, so after once again being passed over for a Kangaroos spot after playing in the Prime Minister's XIII last week (the PM's XIII team is not classed as an official Australian side, so this game doesn't affect his eligibility), the blockbusting prop is concentrating on his chance to represent Toa Samoa, and not the disappointment of missing out on the Australian side.
"It's definitely a goal of mine still [to play for Australia] but at the moment I'm 100 per cent focused on Samoa and doing the job for them," McGuire says.
"I watched the mid-year Test. I didn't go to that game; I decided to watch... you only get one change so it is what it is. But I was very excited when the boys won. I was very happy for them and happy for the country.
"[A Kangaroos berth] is hopefully something that will arise one day but at the moment I'm committed to playing for Samoa and playing my best footy. The opportunity to play against the best in the world and to represent my mum's heritage is a great opportunity. I'm looking forward to it."
