"We will do it our way" - new Moana Pasifika Head Coach Aaron Mauger

Moana Pasifika have announced today that Former Highlanders and Leicester Tigers Head Coach Aaron Mauger has been appointed as the Head Coach for the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team.

Mauger has signed a 3-year-deal with the Auckland based team and says the inaugural squad will conduct themselves as the pacific would expect.

"We will do it our way, that's a big part of our kaupapa is to do this our way and make sure we add our flavour to it."

He says “I think that's what will connect people to our journey. We're going to do it our way and especially our Pasifika who want to see that we're us, we’re not just another New Zealand franchise, we're going to do this our way and that's going to be exacting"

Mauger's pacific roots stems from his grandmother who was born in Tahiti before migrating to Rarotonga. He says his link to the Pacific meant that coaching the squad was an easy decision.

"Ï did have to let it digest and consider all the implications and also the responsibility of taking on such a project and making sure we do this right. But like I said before, once you really tap into the things that inspire you, it becomes an easy decision."