An honest Aaron Mauger has opened up on the toll a stressful past four years has taken on him a period when he lost both parents and says he hasnt put forward as a coach for Moana Pasifika at this stage despite working behind the scenes on the new Super Rugby franchise in recent months.
Mauger, 40, was let go by the Highlanders last year at the end of his contract, but the coach now admits he was operating at levels far from my best during the last four years as he juggled the stress of a high profile job with family commitments.
Aaron Mauger was assistant coach for Moana Pasifika for their game against the Mori All Blacks last year.
Im currently in a good personal space, I needed a break from leading a top level environment, Mauger told Stuff.
Its 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.
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So I needed a breather to reflect and assess.
I was operating at levels far from my best during the last four years so its 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.
Ive 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 cant take back in life and this is something Ive been able to give a lot more of in the last five months.
Maugers comments lift the lid on the intense pressure felt by Super Rugby coaches, and how hard that can be to manage, especially with four children of school age whose own lives require stability and support.
Since leaving the Highlanders, Mauger has remained in Dunedin, where his four children are at school, and has been working at John McGlashan College in a role that includes mentoring as well as involvement in the rugby program.
However, he has also been providing input for the Moana Pasifika team as they prepare for inclusion in the 2022 Super Rugby competition.
I have remained in contact with [director of rugby] Kevin Senio behind the scenes over the last five months regarding the progress being made at higher levels that has lead to where things are currently at, Mauger said. Huge credit to some absolute legends of the Pacific rugby community.
There has been so much hard work done at governance level, now that hard work needs to be transferred into building a performance structure that sets the team up to be competitive and have an impact on Super rugby with immediate effect.
Key appointments of coaching and management team are absolutely critical to get the ball rolling with planning and preparation for the 2022 season.
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.
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Aaron Mauger was let go by the Highlanders after three years in charge.
[But] For me, I havent put my name forward as a coach at this stage.
Senio revealed on Monday that Moana Pasifika were currently working through a list of possible names to be part of their inaugural coaching team.
The new franchise also faces a tight timeline to put together a competitive 38-man squad in time for next years competition.
The granting of a full licence is conditional on support from Rugby Australia, and Stuff understands Australian rugby bosses Hamish McLennan and Andy Marinos are both currently in New Zealand to meet with NZ Rugby.