Super Rugby Aotearoa: ‘We lost our identity’: Tony Brown’s subtle intervention on the firing of Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger

New Highlanders coach Tony Brown has subtly criticized Aaron Mauger, saying the team lost its identity during his tenure.

Mauger was fired as the head coach of the Highlanders in September after three years in charge following an internal review at the end of this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Brown, who served as attacking coach with Mauger this year, says the Dunedin franchise needs to rediscover its “identity,” something he believes they have lost in recent years.

“I think it is very important that we create an identity that [the] Highlanders, “Brown said.

“I think we could potentially have lost a little bit of that in recent years.

“I want to take us back to that identity and make sure the players understand that, what the environment is about, play well and entertain the fans.”

The Highlanders have failed to replicate the success with Jamie Joseph and Brown, when they took the Super Rugby crown in 2015.

Since then, they have also lost a host of seasoned players like former All Blacks Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo.

Brown and Mauger will meet this weekend when Moana Pasfika’s team take on the Māori All Blacks.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders revealed their Super Rugby team for 2021 spearheaded by the return of Liam Squire, who returned from a brief stint playing in Japan.

There are six new faces and two returning players on the team co-captained by Ash Dixon and Aaron Smith.

Highlanders Super Rugby 2021 Team:

Accessories: Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Hohneck

Hookers: Ricky Jackson, Ash Dixon, Liam Coltman

Locks: Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Maanaki Selby-Rickit, Bryn Evans

Lazy Forwards: Billy Harmon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Sione Misiloi, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Liam Squire, Kazuki Himeno

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Sailors

Inside backs: Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt

Midfield: Fetuli Paea, Sio Tomkinson, Thomas Umaga Jensen, Ngane Punivai

Outside Backups: Nehe Milner Skudder, Connor Garden Bachop, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Solomon Alaimalo, Michael Collins, Sam Gilbert, Vilimoni Koroi