'I needed a break': Former Highlanders coach rules himself out of Moana Pasifika role
Former Highlanders boss Aaron Mauger has ruled himself out of becoming Moana Pasifika head coach in their inaugural season next year.
Mauger, the former All Blacks five-eighth, was released by the Highlanders last September following a below-par three-year spell with the Dunedin-based franchise and is currently a free agent in the professional coaching market.
Of Samoan and Cook Island heritage, Mauger was one of three assistant coaches for Moana Pasifika when they debuted against the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton last December, but he has eliminated the prospect of joining the side full-time next year.
The 40-year-old told Stuff that his tenure at the Highlanders had been a stressful one and that he “was operating at levels far from my best during the last four years” as he struggled to balance family life and his coaching commitments.
It’s for that reason, he said, that he has opted to keep himself at arm’s length from putting himself in contention to join Moana Pasifika’s coaching staff in 2022.
“I’m currently in a good personal space, I needed a break from leading a top level environment,” Mauger told Stuff.
“It’s been a challenging last four years coming back from UK, losing both parents within a year of each other and working hard to settle our four kids in a new place away from family whilst trying to establish myself as head coach at the Highlanders where our performances and results were hovering below expectations.
“So, I needed a breather to reflect and assess.
“I was operating at levels far from my best during the last four years so it’s been good to take stock and personally get back on track, the break from the intensity of leading a professional team has been hugely beneficial in terms of balance, perspective and all-round fulfilment.
“I’ve enjoyed paying more attention and spending more time on the most important things in life in particular being more present as a husband and father.
“Time is one thing you can’t take back in life and this is something I’ve been able to give a lot more of in the last five months.”
Capped 46 times by the All Blacks between 2001 and 2007, Mauger has gone on to build a credible coaching portfolio since his retirement as a player in 2010.
You get the feeling this guy could fly even if he were rushed straight into the team… #SuperRugbyAotearoa @ChiefsRugby https://t.co/uDyr1aqbWt
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 21, 2021
Between 2013 and 2015, Mauger acted as an assistant coach to former teammate Todd Blackadder at the Crusaders.
During that time, the Crusaders finished as beaten semi-finalists in 2013 and beaten finalists in 2014, before they missed the play-offs for the first time in 14 years in Mauger’s final year with the franchise.
A move to Gallagher Premiership club Leicester Tigers followed in 2015 as Mauger took over from Matt O’Connor as head coach at Welford Road.
His first season in England ended with semi-final finishes in the Premiership and Champions Cup, while he delivered an Anglo-Welsh Cup title and another Premiership semi-final in his second season in charge, although Leicester didn’t qualify for the Champions Cup play-offs.
A brief stint as Samoa assistant coach in 2017 preceded his arrival at the Highlanders as Tony Brown’s successor in 2018, the same year he guided the southerners to their fifth straight Super Rugby quarter-final appearance.
The following year, the Highlanders scraped into the quarter-finals again after winning just six of their 16 matches, but had their campaign ended by the Crusaders in the first round of the play-offs.
Last season, Mauger led the Highlanders to just one win from six Super Rugby matches before COVID-19 hit, before coaching them to a fourth-place finish in Super Rugby Aotearoa with three wins from eight matches.
While he was let go by the Highlanders at the end of that season – ironically being replaced by Brown, who initially returned to the franchise as an assistant coach last year – Mauger’s experience would be highly valued for a new team like Moana Pasifika.
This guy put an excellent performance on the park in last year's North v South game… And now he's back doing it for @CrusadersRugby. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #AllBlackshttps://t.co/6Li2owpfv0
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 20, 2021
However, the three-time Super Rugby champion remains intent on staying in Dunedin, having taken up an advisor role for local club Kaikorai while also being involved in John McGlashan College’s rugby programme.
That hasn’t stopped him from helping out Moana Pasifika from afar, though, as he told Stuff he has been in contact with the franchise’s general manager Kevin Senio to help prepare the team ahead of their induction into a new-look Super Rugby competition.
“Key appointments of coaching and management team are absolutely critical to get the ball rolling with planning and preparation for the 2022 season,” Mauger told Stuff.
“Player recruitment will also need to begin immediately and the first few signings will be key to creating the excitement for other players to follow.
“There is a lot to be learned from other Super Rugby clubs either successful or dreadfully unsuccessful in some cases on the infant stages of building an organisation so there is plenty of information to help guide Moana through these preparation stages.
“For me, I haven’t put my name forward as a coach at this stage.”
Senio told The Breakdown on Monday that Moana Pasifika are currently putting together a shortlist of candidates to form the franchise’s coaching staff next season, while a 38-man playing roster is expected to be announced over the coming months.
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Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments