Moana Pasifika 2023
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Looks like Jonah Mau'u has been added to the MP roster permanently as opposed to injury cover as he was originally.
Taniwha loose forward called up for Moana Pasifika
Waipū premier rugby skipper Jonah Mau'u has been selected for Moana Pasifika.
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@Stargazer yep, none up here.
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Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger says the Super Rugby franchise would love to be based in the islands permanently ahead of their first match in Samoa on Friday.
Mauger joined Stuff's The Podium sports podcast from Samoa where his team were enjoying a parade as they prepared for the match against the Reds in Apia (4.05pm kickoff).
“Our team are aware of why our team was formed and who it's for, every Pacific Island person,” Mauger says.Mauger says plenty of work needs to be done in order for Moana, who play their home games at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, to permanently play games in Samoa and Tonga.
“We would love to be based in the islands. That's a big job creating the infrastructure to be able to do that and to compete at the highest level. We're not playing club rugby, we're playing against seasoned internationals, the best players in the world, so it's a tough competition.”
Podcast (starts at about 1:18):
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Aaron Mauger has resigned as Moana Pasifika head coach, the Herald understands.
Mauger is expected to remain in charge for Moana Pasifika’s final regular season matches against the Drua in Fiji and Waratahs in Sydney but he is believed to have informed the team last Friday he will not see out the final year of his contract next season.
Amid Moana’s 12-match winless campaign rumours of unrest surfaced in recent weeks, with suggestions players were refusing to re-sign beyond this year.
High performance consultant Eddie Kohlhase, the Black Sox great who New Zealand Rugby hired to sit on the appointment panel that anointed Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach from next year, is believed to have conducted a review of Moana where player feedback is said to be grim.
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Here's the stuff article, which is not hidden behind a pay-wall:
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Didn't Mauger have problems with players at the Highlanders too?
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I'll give him the benefit of doubt that negative player feedback probably stems from frustration more than anything. A few senior players have experienced top coaches and can compare. Mauger isn't that good a coach, never has been.
He seemed to make a lot of effort to absorb into the cultural aspect but poor results and a lack of growth will create ructions and frustration among players that aren't seeing personal growth.
Is Tiatia an option to step up? -
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Players refusing to re-sign while Mauger was there.
Rugby Direct: Coach Aaron Mauger to depart Moana Pasifika
This week on Rugby Direct, Elliott and Liam discuss the breaking news out of Moana Pasifika that coach Aaron Mauger has resigned as head coach and won't be
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A paywalled article in the herald mentions Pasifika are investigating playing fewer games at Mt Smart. The cost of hiring the venue is high and they've had tiny crowds
Next year their may only be two games at Mt Smart. Other home game possibilities were the islands, Henderson & Whangarei. Napier was mentioned but sounded less likely
Just base the team in the islands. It's the only chance of success
Joint statement from Head Coach Aaron Mauger and Chair La’auli Savae Sir Michael Jones of Moana Pasifika – Moana Pasifika
Stuff
