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Aaron Mauger (Getty Images)
Mountaineers coach Aaron Mauger was effectively fired on Thursday when the Dunedin-based Super Rugby franchise decided not to renew the former All Black’s contract after three years.
Mauger, 39, admitted that the team had not performed well enough during his time in charge.
“As our results on the field during my tenure have not been at the level to which we all aspire, it is the head coach who must take responsibility,” he said in a statement.
The results for the Highlanders under Mauger were not disastrous, but they failed to build an inaugural Super Rugby title in 2015 that raised fans’ expectations.
He guided the team to the quarter-finals in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but achieved just three victories in the recently completed Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
They also lost four of their five regular-season games before a forced shutdown due to a pandemic.
The Highlanders CEO said there was no rush to name a replacement.
“We have a little time before we have to make a final decision on our training structure for 2021,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have quality (assistant) trainers in Tony Brown, Clarke Dermody and Riki Flutey still hired.”
