With the uncertainty around whether this weekend's games go ahead or not, I thought we might as well discuss the future:

This year Aaron Mauger's contract as Highlanders head coach expires. The Highlanders board will soon decide whether to renew it for 2021 and beyond.

Mauger's winning percentage sits at just 40% (2018-2020). This is a decrease from 69% from Tony Brown (2017) and 53% from Joseph (2010-2016).

The Highlanders have won just 2 games in 2020 (including pre-Covid results), even the Chiefs won 4 games pre-Covid including win over Crusaders.

Personally, I believe Mauger's time as head coach is up. The Highlanders have only gotten worse each year since Brown stood down as head coach in 2017.

I've canvassed some potential options to replace him as Highlanders head coach, assisting Brown until 2022 and potentially beyond.

Pat Lam (Bristol Bears)

Kieran Keane (North Harbour)

John McKee (off-contract)

Cory Brown (Japan Top League - Mannix Blues)

Jono Gibbes (Top 14 - La Rochelle)

Dave Dillion (Japan Top League - current Kolbe Steelers head coach)

Tabai Matson (rumored to be shafted by Chiefs in 2021)

Daryl Gibson (current Fiji attack coach under Vern Cotter)

Milton Haig (Japan Top League - Suntory Sungoliath head coach)

Jason O'Halloran (Suntory Sungoliath assistant coach)

We can pretty much already rule-out both Haig and O'Halloran since they only began their (2 year minimum) contract for Suntory last year.

One of the best up-and-coming NZ coaches Clayton McMillan is being groomed as Chiefs head coach post-Gatland, so unfortunately he's out of the equation for now.

Another option is to re-unite Tasman Mako's title winning coaching duo of 2019, Andrew Goodman and Clarke Dermody.

Goodman is the current defense coach at the Crusaders, while Dermody has been the Highlanders scrum coach since 2013.

Another more bolder option is to copy the Blues template, do a Umaga/Rangi of 2019 and demote Mauger to assistant coach, while promoting Dermody to head coach.

This could actually work very well because Mauger has significantly improved the Highlanders defense since taking over after Delany moved on in 2019. This is the one area Mauger has excelled in 2020. But to be a successful head coach you need good man-management skills also. For the betterment of the Highlanders, I believe Mauger should move to a specialist defense role.

Mauger's problem is said to be man-management and selection related, sources have indicated there is increasing unrest among the Highlanders players with regards to Mauger's contradictory methods, he is alleged to say one thing one week then change his mind. Players are frustrated to find themselves on the outer after being selected one week then suddenly dropped again the next. There has been little continuity in Highlanders selections until these last 2 rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Tony Brown is contracted as Highlanders assistant coach until at least 2022. Word is Dermody will likely be promoted to forwards coach in 2021 as Mark Hammett is leaving the Highlanders after this Saturday's match. Due to Tasman forwards coach Shane Christie's relationship with Dermody, I think it's possible Christie could be joining the Highlanders next year.

Most likely out-come for 2021: Aaron Mauger (head+defense), Tony Brown (attack), Clarke Dermody (scrum+forwards coach), Shane Christie (ass. forwards coach).

What my preference would be: Clarke Dermody (head coach+forwards), Tony Brown (attack), Andrew Goodman (ass.backs, skills, individual player development), Aaron Mauger (defense), Shane Christie (ass. forwards). Re-unite the Tasman title-winning staff of 2019, let's make it happen!

Why is it that Leon MacDonald doesn't seem to rate Nock?

@Kiwiwomble apparently the players aren't exactly thrilled with Mauger and want Brown as head coach. Hopefully CEO Roger Clarke receives this feedback because an unhappy dressing room is the worst situation for any club.

@chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:

@chris said in Blues v Crusaders:

@stargazer said in Blues v Crusaders:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300261303/super-rugby-blues-boost-as-prop-ofa-tuungafasi-cleared-of-foul-play-charge

“The judicial committee found that it was not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the red card threshold had been met,” said chairman Nigel Hampton QC via release. “Nor was the committee satisfied that the match referee was wrong in his issuing a yellow card."

It is understood the Blues presented detailed video evidence showing Tu’ungafasi hd entered through the correct channel, had lowered his body, was never off his feet and his first contact had been arm on shoulder.

There goes the inconsistency in the Sanzaar Judicial committee for everyone to see once again.Thats a bit of a Joke getting off Scott free.

Looks like they concluded there was no head contact, and therefore not a red card in the framework ('play on')

If it's not red card threshold, it's no suspension.

For me it looked like contact with the Head so I differ with their Findings.

To my eyes, it appeared to be simultaneous contact to the shoulder and head, still fits the criteria for red under the current guidelines. Should've really been 2-3 week ban if they are aiming to be consistent.

@Siam no, but I've heard that Walden's teammates are equally baffled.

@stargazer really? after a 39 point drubbing to the Blues in previous round?

I highly doubt Brown would refrain from playing his best 23 in a must-win game. Highlanders beating Canes could be the difference between finishing 3rd or 4th.

@Bones he's definitely improved since his rough start pre-covid

@winger said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

@chris said in SRA Round 4: Hurricanes v Chiefs:

That Chiefs team looks a bit stronger than the Canes IMO

Its one of the weakest Canes sides I can remember. Three only adequate NPC level forwards (RR, Prinsep and Blackwell). a limited HB 1st combination, a 2nd 5 that's out of form (why not try PUJ there instead)and a centre that has almost no attacking potency. Just far too many inadequate (esp Blackwell although Prinsep is trying hard to score high on this front) and limited players

If the Chiefs were playing at home I would perhaps give them the edge, but they're not.

Both sides will be desperate for their first win, but I except the Hurricanes coaches to have the boys fired up at home, as was the case last year, when they beat the Chiefs 33-18.

If I remember correctly they also won against the Blues in Wellington last year, so I would expect the Canes to put on a better performance at home (as is often the case).

The Hurricanes bench is pretty stacked with likes of Umaga-Jenson, Flanders, Mitchell, Mafelio, Taumeitine, Goosen etc..

The Chiefs' bench is weak in comparison.

I except this game to be tight, but the Canes to break away in the last 20 minutes - due to their superior depth on the bench.

@Kiwiwomble That's off the cards apparently.

Brown already has to juggle his roles with the Highlanders and Japanese national side.

@winger said in Blues v Hurricanes:

@canes4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:

Ffs, Blackwell returns

I thought we were rid of this waste of space. So Canes had a good win and they change a winning team around with worse players. The coaches are clueless.

The Hurricanes won lots of games last season with those same players, including beating the Crusaders in Christchurch. Scrafton & Blackwell were two players who contributed hugely towards that win. I think you could show them (and the coaches) a little more respect.

@berhamporeninja said in Hurricanes 2021:

@canes4life yup Blackwell likely to start again and princeep who I don't mind tbh he's actually been playing well don't know why people hate on him ‍️ princeep ardie and Flanders would be our best against saders

Yeah, that's the trio I'd pick. Kirifi makes the loose-forward trio a bit unbalanced with Savea there too, as they are both pretty small players for loose forwards (both under 100kg). Flanders to start at 8, Savea back to 7 and Kirifi on the bench.

@bovidae said in Hurricanes 2021:

@winger said in Hurricanes 2021:

@bovidae said in Hurricanes 2021:

Love should have got an opportunity at 1st 5 for Wellington but they had all their eggs in the JGB basket too. If only the Hurricanes looked outside Wellington for alternatives...

They have (looked outside). Leger is the outcome.

The same Leger who hasn't even been playing 1st 5 for CM. He has been asked to fill a role because the alternatives who play in that position at NPC level have either left NZ or been ignored.

Leger has filled-in at 1st 5 for the Chiefs, just FYI

@canes4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:

@kiwi_expat I want the Canes to be challenging for titles year in and year out and I’ve also been a fan for too long just to be content with their selections at the moment. If you’re happy with your team cruising along winning a game every so often and not making the playoffs then that’s on you.

Also isn’t that what this forums about, discussing the selections and looking for areas where teams can improve?

I’m not saying we can’t win on Saturday with the players that have been selected, in fact I think we have a very good chance. It’s just that the selections being made atm are making it very difficult for us to get the result, when it could be a hell of a lot easier if we picked the right cattle.

The issue here is that you're making the assumption that you know exactly who the right cattle are AND what the best selections for the team would be in a given situation. The coaches are the only ones who know what's going on behind the scenes, they are in the best position to make that judgement, as they observe the players at training, they will be picking-up on & taking into account various other factors such as: training habits, work-rate, attitude, work-ethnic etc.. that us rugby fans aren't able to discern because we aren't coaching them.

The coaches also select their team accordingly based on the opposition, that's another factor that we as fans don't really think about.

@canes4life

I think you should just try to enjoy the game for what it is & get behind your boys. I like to stay positive. I'm sure Hurricanes will be competitive and test the Blues. All of the NZ squads are strong and can upset anyone on their day. I believe Hurricanes will beat the Chiefs & Highlanders on their return-run to finish either 3rd or 4th overall on the final standings.

I'd say the reason for Blackwell being continually selected is because he's a key leader in the group, he's a senior player, he was the Hurricanes player of the season in 2019, was pretty outstanding in Super Rugby Aotearoa last year too. Also isn't he the Wellington Lions captain?

@canes4life it's actually around 60%

@winger said in Blues v Hurricanes:

@canes4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:

Ffs, Blackwell returns

I thought we were rid of this waste of space. So Canes had a good win and they change a winning team around with worse players. The coaches are clueless.

The Hurricanes won lots of games last season with those same players, including beating the Crusaders in Christchurch. Scrafton & Blackwell were two players who contributed hugely towards that win. I think you could show them (and the coaches) a little more respect.

@canes4life Proctor has been performing well.

also last week they were winning & they still increased their lead. The week before when Holland emptied the bench, the Hurricanes conceded almost 30 points in that second-half. They were doing great until B.Proctor and others were subbed-off.

@canefan This is a mentality of the past, coaches don't subscribe to that view anymore. These days bench players have hugely influential roles & are just as important for the team as the starting role.

The Hurricanes have possibly the strongest bench in the competition, they will look to add a lot of power from the 50th minute with the likes of Numia, Walker-Leawere, Flanders & PUJ being injected late into the game.