Mauger GORNEEEEEEEEEE

[coldtowel3478]

Mauger had the final say in selections, so I've heard from those in Highlanders camp.

Nevertheless Browny did an admirable repair job to patch-up the leaks in the SS Mauger and keep the Highlanders competitive in SRA.

When Azza was Crusaders attack coach the game-plan consisted of shoveling the ball from side-to-side until someone inevitably got bundled into touch, which opposition sides heavily exploited and used to their advantage.

Either that or Nadolo hitting it up the middle and the ball getting turned over somewhere in the process.

[JM2K6]

Welcome to the board, Mrs Brown

[FujiKiwi]

There are plenty of Mrs. Robertsons on the bored as well. He must be a polygamist.

[Jb1981]

There are plenty of Mrs. Robertsons on the bored as well. He must be a polygamist.

Don’t go Garfunkelling the conversation.

But on the subject of Scott Robertson, now there’s a coach .

[FujiKiwi]

There are plenty of Mrs. Robertsons on the bored as well. He must be a polygamist.

Don’t go Garfunkelling the conversation.

But on the subject of Scott Robertson, now there’s a coach .

God bless you please, Mrs. Robertson,
Jesus, you’re a one-eyed so and so.

[Jb1981]

Whoa, whoa, whoa
God bless you please, Mrs Robertson,
Razor’s the greatest coach on display.

[FujiKiwi]

Where have you gone Jamie Joseph-o
The nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

[Certain Navigator]

That's laughable. The Highlander's record with Brown in charge of the game-planning is:

2014: Quarter-Finalists (1st play-off berth since 2002), 2015: Champions (11/15) wins, 2016: (11/15) wins, 2017: (11/15) wins.

That's absolute consistency.

Compared to Jamie Joseph prior to Brown:

2010: 10th, 2011: 11th, 2012: 9th, 2013: 14th.

I don’t think it’s laughable. Tony Brown was in charge of game-planning this year and they came away with three wins. I think he and Jamie Joseph make a good team and Brown is a strong Assistant coach but the jury is still out for me on him being the most valuable resource for any coaching team.

They won 3 games in SRA, when realistically they should have gone 0-8 with the squad they had, and the loss of experience from 2019.

Ironically the Chiefs previously heralded as having the (or close to) best squad for SRA ended with that 0-8 record.

Add to that the fact the 4 other NZ teams had significantly stronger rosters than the Clan.

The games the Highlanders did loss were mainly by less than 7 points and they were usually competitive until the very last minute.

We witnessed the added structures in their game from Brown's return that were hugely positive. They were playing much more intelligent rugby tactically and implemented a completely new strategy that was purposed for taking full advantage of their strengths, whilst alleviating the weak areas in their game. That being said, Mauger's abysmal Man-management skills and inconsistent selection tendencies constantly hung over his shoulder like a toxic gas cloud - threatening to derail any meaningful progress Brown attempted to make with the team.

In the end, all of the Highlanders indicators of progress and improvement in performance came from Brown's own structures.

All their failings can be attributed solely to Mauger.

So despite pretty much all the Highlanders' problems stemming from their attack (or lack thereof), which Brown was in charge of, it was actually all Mauger's fault. Well, I'm glad that's cleared up.

Is that you Alex?

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

I don’t think it’s laughable. Tony Brown was in charge of game-planning this year and they came away with three wins. I think he and Jamie Joseph make a good team and Brown is a strong Assistant coach but the jury is still out for me on him being the most valuable resource for any coaching team.

They won 3 games in SRA, when realistically they should have gone 0-8 with the squad they had, and the loss of experience from 2019.

Ironically the Chiefs previously heralded as having the (or close to) best squad for SRA ended with that 0-8 record.

Add to that the fact the 4 other NZ teams had significantly stronger rosters than the Clan.

The games the Highlanders did loss were mainly by less than 7 points and they were usually competitive until the very last minute.

We witnessed the added structures in their game from Brown's return that were hugely positive. They were playing much more intelligent rugby tactically and implemented a completely new strategy that was purposed for taking full advantage of their strengths, whilst alleviating the weak areas in their game. That being said, Mauger's abysmal Man-management skills and inconsistent selection tendencies constantly hung over his shoulder like a toxic gas cloud - threatening to derail any meaningful progress Brown attempted to make with the team.

In the end, all of the Highlanders indicators of progress and improvement in performance came from Brown's own structures.

All their failings can be attributed solely to Mauger.

So despite pretty much all the Highlanders' problems stemming from their attack (or lack thereof), which Brown was in charge of, it was actually all Mauger's fault. Well, I'm glad that's cleared up.

Is that you Alex?

Well, whichever way you slice it Mauger had the title Head Coach. That's life in the bigs.

I'm sure he'll make it as, say, Brizzle's next coach despite not doing much in Super Rugby.

[JM2K6]

Tbf Pat Lam did manage Samoa and Ireland's development province (doing really well) for years before going to Div1 Bristol

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Tbf Pat Lam did manage Samoa and Ireland's development province (doing really well) for years before going to Div1 Bristol

I think you need to direct this strongly worded letter to the Landers, P.O. Box 0, Dunedin, sincerely Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4.

[HouseofPane]

I mentioned it here earlier (or on PR I can’t remember which one), but murmurs from within the team was that many couldn’t stand Mauger. One specifically wasn’t looking at renewing their contract (fringe player) because they believed that Mauger didn’t know what he was doing (constantly contradicting himself seemed to be the biggest complaint). How much this was at play, was all down to the opinion on this one fringe player, so take from it what you will.

Obviously the next focus is on who to hire, but surely if there is a growing amount of resentment amongst players towards the coach, then you either have to get rid of those players, or the coach? Mauger didn’t have the greatest record, so unfortunately for him, he may have been the easier option to get rid of.

Despite all of this, as others have said - the head coach takes the most responsibility as the buck stops with him. I had hopes that he would be able to do a good job here, but I was worried that his appointment may stem the highlanders attack - which I felt he did do over the three years. He’s still young himself as a coach though, so I hope he can find his feet somewhere. He must be able to learn from his mistakes as well - just it seems a little more unforgivable if you are a coach.

[Monkey Magic]

I mentioned it here earlier (or on PR I can’t remember which one), but murmurs from within the team was that many couldn’t stand Mauger. One specifically wasn’t looking at renewing their contract (fringe player) because they believed that Mauger didn’t know what he was doing (constantly contradicting himself seemed to be the biggest complaint). How much this was at play, was all down to the opinion on this one fringe player, so take from it what you will.

Obviously the next focus is on who to hire, but surely if there is a growing amount of resentment amongst players towards the coach, then you either have to get rid of those players, or the coach? Mauger didn’t have the greatest record, so unfortunately for him, he may have been the easier option to get rid of.

Despite all of this, as others have said - the head coach takes the most responsibility as the buck stops with him. I had hopes that he would be able to do a good job here, but I was worried that his appointment may stem the highlanders attack - which I felt he did do over the three years. He’s still young himself as a coach though, so I hope he can find his feet somewhere. He must be able to learn from his mistakes as well - just it seems a little more unforgivable if you are a coach.

Feel both he and Daryl Gibson have actually suffered due to the high opinion of them as 'extra coaches' during their playing days.

Pre retirement they were already seen as guys with big futures on coaching, they both ended up with high profile teams potentially too early in their coaching careers.

Feel they didnt have the chance develop at the lower grades to really get to know 'their game' in terms of how they want to coach and the best way to project that to a playing group. You don't really want to be learning that running a full pro side

[Jb1981]

Jamie Joseph has all but ruled himself out of contention.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... ighlanders

[FujiKiwi]

Jamie Joseph has all but ruled himself out of contention.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... ighlanders

Too busy building on his already illustrious international resume, while Scott Robertson shamelessly looks to ride on Warren Gatland’s coat tails.

[Carter's Choice]

So the coach that led his team to 3-5 gets mercilessly sacked, but Warren Gatland who coached his team to a winless 0-8 record is retained and about to set off on a lucrative B&IL tour.

[stemoc]

ex fiji coach John McKee doesn't have a job yet :P

[Jb1981]

Jamie Joseph has all but ruled himself out of contention.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super ... ighlanders

Too busy building on his already illustrious international resume, while Scott Robertson shamelessly looks to ride on Warren Gatland’s coat tails.

That is certainly one perspective on Japan vs. the British Lions. Today’s news from Joseph isn’t unexpected. If there is one thing he has form in, it’s withdrawing from a coaching race.

[Carter's Choice]

Why the heck would JJ go back to coaching the Highlanders?

[HouseofPane]

So the coach that led his team to 3-5 gets mercilessly sacked, but Warren Gatland who coached his team to a winless 0-8 record is retained and about to set off on a lucrative B&IL tour.

I assume you’re looking for bites, so here goes:

Aaron Mauger had a three year contract, and at the end of it the Highlanders organisation have decided to look at other options, and not offer him another contract.

Warren Gatland is still in contract with the Chiefs.

As an aside, imagine if rugby contracts went down the route of soccer etc - Gatland may not be as safe then.

[HouseofPane]

Why the heck would JJ go back to coaching the Highlanders?

Joseph lives in Dunedin. He’s been back down here since March(?) and there were questions floating around as to when Japan would realistically play again due to obviously COVID. I guess someone thought to ask if he’d be interested in the recently open Highlanders position while he waits for international rugby to begin again. Due to the unsure nature of the future, he rightly ruled himself out. I didn’t sound like there was any serious clues that he would be interested anyway - just my take.

[HouseofPane]

Feel both he and Daryl Gibson have actually suffered due to the high opinion of them as 'extra coaches' during their playing days.

Pre retirement they were already seen as guys with big futures on coaching, they both ended up with high profile teams potentially too early in their coaching careers.

Feel they didnt have the chance develop at the lower grades to really get to know 'their game' in terms of how they want to coach and the best way to project that to a playing group. You don't really want to be learning that running a full pro side

Yeah it was a quick promotion up the ranks wasn’t it. Maybe Mauger would benefit from starting at the bottom again, or maybe kick back and look for any vacancies after the mitre 10 cup. Easier said than done though, and he may view it too much of a backwards step. But again, he does have time on his side.

[Carter's Choice]

Yeah it was a quick promotion up the ranks wasn’t it. Maybe Mauger would benefit from starting at the bottom again, or maybe kick back and look for any vacancies after the mitre 10 cup. Easier said than done though, and he may view it too much of a backwards step. But again, he does have time on his side.

SR coaches earn around $200K a year. Mitre 10 Cup coaches earn around $50K per year. Hence why very few SR coaches go back to provincial level. I suspect Mauger will go back to Europe, where he coached for years before taking up the Highlanders gig.

[HouseofPane]

Yeah it was a quick promotion up the ranks wasn’t it. Maybe Mauger would benefit from starting at the bottom again, or maybe kick back and look for any vacancies after the mitre 10 cup. Easier said than done though, and he may view it too much of a backwards step. But again, he does have time on his side.

SR coaches earn around $200K a year. Mitre 10 Cup coaches earn around $50K per year. Hence why very few SR coaches go back to provincial level. I suspect Mauger will go back to Europe, where he coached for years before taking up the Highlanders gig.

Yeah, you are probably right there - I was more exploring the options if he stuck around NZ for a while during these COVID times.

[booji boy]

Hasn't Mauger had fairly short, unsuccessful stints in all his coaching gigs? He must be wearing out the kudos attached to being a former All Black that seems to see these otherwise unproven, relatively young coaches handed high profile coaching positions.

[Not_Couch]

Never got this obsession with wingers the size of second rows, give me a good small one over a good big one any day.

That's what she said

[stemoc]

Never got this obsession with wingers the size of second rows, give me a good small one over a good big one any day.

That's what she said

reverse actually, thats what she won't ever say.

[Dan54]

So the coach that led his team to 3-5 gets mercilessly sacked, but Warren Gatland who coached his team to a winless 0-8 record is retained and about to set off on a lucrative B&IL tour.

Yep , but maybe Gatland would maybe not be retained if his contract was up for renewal like Mauger's? May cost a bit.

[Un Pilier]

Hasn't Mauger had fairly short, unsuccessful stints in all his coaching gigs? He must be wearing out the kudos attached to being a former All Black that seems to see these otherwise unproven, relatively young coaches handed high profile coaching positions.

I think that’s fair. Certainly he was unsuccessful at Leicester.

[Steve]

Hes not very good to be fair.

[Gumboot]

Tony Brown has been unveiled as the new head coach of the Highlanders through the 2022 season.

The former All Blacks first-five replaces Aaron Mauger who was let go last month after two-years in charge.

[Dan54]

Seems logical choice if he available, as there doesn't seem to be anyone on market that makes you think he should get it. Interesting to read that Clarke Dermody seems to be taking over in 2023 , Brown will be tied up with Japan, and maybe looking for a higher gig after WC?