England move no retirement for Mauger

England move no retirement for Mauger

Jamie Pandaram, c/o Rugby Heaven
Monday, January 29, 2007

All Blacks and Crusaders centre Aaron Mauger said he will not be hanging up his international boots after announcing he will join English club Leicester next season.

While a move overseas usually signals the end of the international career for most players, Mauger still has ambitions to play for the All Blacks at the 2011 World Cup to be held in his home country.

Mauger, 26, has signed for 2½ years with the ladder-leading Tigers starting in December and will move to England following the World Cup in France during September-October with wife Amy, young son Felix, and a soon-to-be-born second child.

"My immediate focus is the Super 14 and getting selected for the All Blacks again," Mauger said. "It's good to have this deal done so I can focus on that challenge."

The 38-Test veteran said he expected his stint in England to be temporary rather than permanent.

"As a family we are looking forward to having an overseas experience (You're welcome to come to Perth!) and this is probably the only opportunity we will get due to the ages of our children, as we would like them to start school in New Zealand, although our eldest will have to do a half year in Leicester," he said.

"I'd also love to finish my career with Canterbury and if I'm still playing well enough possibly to have a crack at the 2011 World Cup."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Mauger had been an important member of the national team for the past five years.

"He's a world class player and has also made a significant contribution as a leader both on and off the field. His decision-making ability has been integral to the All Blacks success."

Mauger's most recent start for the All Blacks was against England last November, although a knee injury restricted him to just that first match of the 2006 European tour.

One of a group of 22 All Blacks currently on a conditioning program, he is expected to rejoin the Crusaders' Super 14 campaign in March.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said Mauger's passing and kicking skills made him one of the world's most valuable second five-eighths.

"Having Aaron at second-five-eighths gives any team he plays for a second decision maker. He has always effectively played as a second, first-five-eighths, whether he was outside 'Mehrts' [Andrew Mehrtens], 'DC' [Daniel Carter] or any of the other players he has combined with," Deans said.

"What that achieves is to double the decision-making threat to any opposing defensive line, while also relieving a fair weight of the decision-making pressure off the man inside him.

"Leicester is getting a very special player, and one who still has a lot to offer in his career. Hopefully he will add to all that he has achieved here with the Crusaders in the time before he departs."

Deans's comments were echoed by Canterbury coach Rob Penney, who said Mauger had set the template on which future Canterbury inside backs would be modelled.

"There is nothing out on the field he can't do - from playing just about every position in the backline except halfback, which he has done at first-class level, to goalkicking," Penney said.

"From a coach's perspective, players of the skills of Aaron are like gold. He is going to be a huge loss, but we wish him all the best for his future in England."

Mauger follows in the footsteps of another fine former Canterbury and Crusaders servant, Daryl Gibson, in joining Leicester.

Gibson has been vice-captain of the powerhouse English Premiership club, which is invariably at the forefront of both the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership competitions.

Mauger has 38 caps as an All Black. He has won four Super rugby titles and made two other finals from his seven seasons with the Crusaders. He has also shared in two New Zealand domestic titles with Canterbury, as well as being associated with winning the Ranfurly Shield twice.

He made his All Black debut in the same Test match as current Crusaders and All Black skipper Richard McCaw in 2001 against Ireland at Dublin, scoring his first try 54 minutes into his Test career.

He subsequently led New Zealand against the Barbarians at Twickenham in 2004.

Mauger's older brother Nathan was also an All Black on the 2001 tour, with the then Linwood club-based brothers following in the footsteps of their uncles, Canterbury All Blacks Stephen and Graeme Bachop, who had previously been the most recent All Black brothers.

The Mauger boys grew up and played all of their junior rugby in Lyttleton on the other side of the Port Hills from Christchurch.