Aaron Mauger named new Highlanders Head Coach

Former All Black Aaron Mauger will be the Highlanders’ Head Coach from 2018 after signing a three-year deal with the southern club, CEO Roger Clark announced today.

“We are very excited to welcome Aaron Mauger as our Head Coach for next three Super Rugby campaigns.  He is a high calibre coach and we are stoked to share this news with Highlanders fans,” Clark said.

Mauger’s appointment locks in an impressively experienced coaching team for 2018, with Mark Hammett, Clarke Dermody, and Jon Preston all confirmed to remain with the club.  Recruitment for an additional assistant coach (defence) will commence over the next month.

“It’s been no secret we have been looking for a replacement for Tony Brown since he signalled his departure for Japan.

“Having already contracted Mark and Aaron for next year, we started this Head Coach recruitment process with two very good candidates already in the fold.  Both have experience at head coach level and proven leadership skills.  We could see that both are going to have significant input into the direction of the team over the next few years, and Aaron’s appointment as Head Coach reflects our belief that he is best placed to lead the team’s development at this stage.

“Aaron has demonstrated to us the passion, commitment and dedication to coaching at the club that we believe are vital at this level and will lead an experienced coaching and management group,” Clark said.

Mauger is excited by the challenge: “I feel very honoured to join the Highlanders family and to lead the Highlanders as Head Coach.  The club has become a consistent performer at the top of the competition in recent years and we look forward to the challenge of growing our game and achieving great things as a club.