By stash -
January 24th 2010 @ 6:58am
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Loading ...Mauger impact for New Zealand expected
Ex-All Black Aaron Mauger is heading back to New Zealand with a cool eye fixed firmly on recapturing his former postings in the Canterbury Crusaders and the All Blacks. Playing at second 5/8, he was a pivotal player for both the Crusaders and All Blacks with 45 caps in the latter.
Debuting in 2001, Mauger was a permanent fixture on the team sheets, scoring 13 tries before leaving to play for current English champions, Leicester in 2007. A solid reliable player, he’s always had excellent distribution skills and is renowned as a tactical player while also possessing a bag of kicking skills to boot.
Mauger’s form dropped in his last couple of years with the All Blacks and he found himself on the outer in favor of then emerging talent Luke McAllister.
Nevertheless, Mauger was, and remains, a respected player in the eyes of friends and foes.
Mauger’s hiatus in England has undoubtedly reignited his enthusiasm as he looks to trade offshore money for the more modest offerings found on New Zealand shores. Coach Graeme Henry will surely have lifted his scowl momentarily at the possibility of adding Mauger to the mix.
While Mauger seems to have been on the international scene for eons (he played alongside Merhtens), surprisingly he’s only 29 years old. Mauger does possess a cool, calm exterior and his experience can’t be brought. It offers a good option for the selectors who are wary of blooding new talent in the backs after the dreadful, error ridden experiment of Stephen Donald.
Lady Fortune may have shone a bit of light on New Zealand backline options – and opposition teams will cast a cautious eye, while quietly whispering “drat”, if Mauger is able to display reinvigorated form.
If he can impress the selectors, he could well make a major impact on the All Black’s chances in 2011.
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kingplaymaker said | January 24th 2010 @ 10:07am | Report comment
A total waste of money if the the NZRFU are paying a penny for him: he’s far worse than Nonu and Mcalister, and hasn’t got a hope of making the World Cup team.
Furthermore, it sets a terrible precedent: that an All Black can leave the team in the lurch for the entire period between World Cups, and then pitch up and take the glory of participating at the last moment.
The same is true of Doug Howlett, who is probably far past his peak now anyway.
Mcalister was better, at least he came back a good two years early, but a strong message needs to be sent out right now: if a player wants to represent New Zealand at the World Cup, they have to put in some time playing for All Blacks since the last one.
stash said | January 24th 2010 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
The World Cup team is an expanded outfit and there probably is good opportunity for Mauger to force a reserve position if he can show form.
I agree that the precedent is not good for players leaving and then coming back. Still its better than being able to select players that are currently playing overseas for your national side (Don’t the boks do this?). That’s a far more detrimental practice. Unless the position has no decent cover (ie McCaw and Carter) then I don’t think it is easy for ex-all blacks to return to the fold.
Sam said | January 24th 2010 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
I agree. I think McAlister is an example of where this can go wrong – he was rushed back in and as clearly not up to standard. Most of the rugby he played for the All Blacks last year was shocking. I think sometimes these guys think they can walk back in, but it’ll be tough. Look at Chris Jack – coming back to the Crusaders but they have two All Black locks (Thorn and Ross) so he might find himself on the bench a fair bit this season; and that it only at Super 14 level. Mauger will find it easier than Jack I think but Tim Bateman and Stephen Bates have both been playing well, so he might find himself playing centre or covering Carter at 1st-five. Will be interesting to see how things go.
MR said | January 24th 2010 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Maugers form dropped before he left ? He was Mr Reliable & a perfect foil for Carter, a much better combo than McAllister. I’m anticipating he’ll have matured like McDonald did in Japan. It’ll be interesting to see what happens as some of the Kiwi comments are along the lines of “he’ll never get back in with Cruden. etc there”. I’m picking he’ll show his class & be back in black, but unlike McAllister he’ll be playing better than when he left !
Jerry said | January 26th 2010 @ 5:03am | Report comment
He’ll have to be playing better than when he left. He was looking a bit pedestrian in 07.
Colin N said | January 26th 2010 @ 5:08am | Report comment
I watched some highlights of New Zealand’s tri-nation games between 2001 and 2005 and he was superb. He was probably the best 12 in the world during that time.
Viscount Crouchback said | January 24th 2010 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Mauger has been distinctly average for Leicester and was left out for the key game against the Ospreys this weekend. The Tigers management preferred the prosaic charms of Jeremy Staunton at 12, a player who makes Andy Goode look like the reincarnation of Barry John.
Mauger has had two key problems: (1) His defence has been shocking, falling off tackles left, right and centre (possibly because his heart just isn’t in it?); (2) He’s surrounded by one-dimensional bashers like Jordan Crane who think space is the sole preserve of astronauts. Players in England are just less spatially aware than Kiwis. Today, for instance, Mauger would have run in a winning try unopposed if Ben Youngs had had the poise and awareness to shift the ball earlier. Instead, Youngs chucked an awful ball about two inches above Mauger’s laces and he duly knocked on.
So yes, Mauger has been mediocre in a mediocre competition and thus I’d be surprised if he got anywhere near an All Blacks jersey again. Luke McAllister played much better in the same mediocre competition and we’ve seen how he struggled on his return. That said, it’s possible that Mauger has just been keeping his powder dry.
I hope and suspect that the European clubs are re-thinking their recruitment policies because, frankly, many of the big bucks southern superstars have been absolutely dreadful. Many of them – van der Linde, Mauger, Gear – have looked scarcely interested and have spent half their team nursing suspicious injuries. The real value lies in the next tier of players, those with something to prove – i.e., chaps like Brock James, Riki Flutey, Craig Newby, etc. I think we’ll see European clubs steadily shift their focus towards younger, hungrier southern hemisphere players.
stash said | January 24th 2010 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
“space is the sole preserve of astronauts”…classic.
Luke McAlister has struggled… he should have played in the Super 14 or at least NPC rather than be drafted straight into the blacks. Seeing the gap in the team and McAlisters form probably prompted Mauger’s decision.
Wavell Wakefield said | January 25th 2010 @ 12:28am | Report comment
Good post, VC.
The one thing I would say about McAlister is that he returned to NZ not match fit and having spent his time in England being shifted between 13 and 15. Not ideal preparation for being thrust into test rugby – following a 2/3 year break – at 12.
P.S. I’m glad we share a similar analysis of Crane. I finally feel vindicated.
Colin N said | January 26th 2010 @ 4:02am | Report comment
McAlister never played at 15 for Sale. He mostly played at 13, sometimes at 12 and rarely at 10.
short-blind said | January 24th 2010 @ 11:42am | Report comment
From a Wallaby perspective I am glad some kiwis are bagging Maugher’s potential return as I do not want to see him and DC running the AB backline ever again……..I have not watched him in England and accept Crouchy’s recent form guide however if he gets back to 70% of his previous best form with the Crusaders expect to see him in Black sooner rather than later. Recent kiwi 12s ala Donald and Mac didn’t get near him at his best. He is cool, calm and sets up his outside men better than any of them and he is not a hog like Mac! Nonu as a 12 has as as much subtlety as a Mac truck!
stash said | January 24th 2010 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Carter to Mauger to Kahui to Guilford – sounds like crisp, clean fast ball with plenty of potential for line breaks from any of them.
I like Nonu – his defence and attack is vicious, but he’s wanting when it comes to kicking and passing (often the ball stops with Nonu). Mauger is a smart player and intelligence in a backline (in any backline) is a prize asset.
ohtani's jacket said | January 24th 2010 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Mauger was okay but let’s not pretend he was a great second five. Umaga was the key guy in the midfield during Mauger’s run.
ohtani's jacket said | January 24th 2010 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
The problem with guys returning is that the European season ends in May and the Test season begins in June. It’s possible that Mauger could be an All Black again, but you’d want him to play his way back into the side like Leon MacDonald and Brad Thorn did. If he could cover 10, he’d have one foot in the door.
The news is actually a bit surprising since I thought Mauger was in the doghouse towards the end of 2007.
stash said | January 24th 2010 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
I’d be surprised if Mauger got a look in this season unless injuries forced the option. He could have a good opportunity if he gets some NPC time to show of his wares to be involved in the end of year tour.
Mauger has some experience with 10, but, unfortunately,not enough to guarantee that Stephen Donald never, ever wears the 10 jersey for NZ again…
allblackfan said | January 24th 2010 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
MacAlister was rushed back into the ABs far too soon. I disagreed with his early selection.
He should have been blooded in the NPC and brought up to standard. Hopefully, this is what will happen to Mauger (and Jack and Hayman).
Mauger MAy have been off his game in the north but will he be the same back home in a familiar kiwi environment, surrounded by the likes of Carter, Nonu, Smith, Kahui? I think his game will pick up, playing alongside players like those.
Come on home, Hayman!!
katzilla said | January 25th 2010 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
Hayman is probably the only of those players that could get a walk in spot IMO.
Of all the positions played in the north his is one where we can guarantee hes had to do some work.
I cant see anyone in NZ keeping him out of the black to be honest.
Ian Noble said | January 25th 2010 @ 5:03am | Report comment
I agree with VC, Mauger has been a disappointment during his time with Leicester. He has also had a long standing back injury. In a recent interview he said he has enjoyed his time playing in the Gp and has learnt from his experiences. However I struggle to see how he fits into the ABs set up, unless he has got the nod from Henry they need his experiences to strengthen the mental side of the ABs who seem to choke in important games. One point Mauger stressed in his interview was the continual need to play under pressure in the NH because of the competitive strength of the various competitions.
Hayman has been playing well and as captain of Newcastle he improved their performances as they are having a better season than in recent years. He would be an immediate asset to any team and of course to the ABs.
Bay35Pablo said | January 25th 2010 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
“the ABs who seem to choke in important games”? Not against us wee poor Wallabies you don’t. They’ve reversed the trend of 10 years ago where we always seemed to squaeak home.
pothale said | January 25th 2010 @ 5:58am | Report comment
There are a few pearler imports from SH teams e.g. Hayman, Howlett, Elsom, Warwick, Botha (this season) and even players such as Boss, Tipoki, Mafi and Berne have done well. I found McAlister and Mauger distinctly average, and never lived up to their hype of their arrival.
What makes people think that they’re suddenly going to rediscover their form again when they rejoin New Zealand? One argument stated above might be that they would lift their game when surrounded by better talent and playing in a superior competition. The counter-argument might be that their flaws will become even more exposed as a result.
If these two don’t perform, who else is there waiting in the wings beyond Nonu, Carter, Smith – assuming they play somewhere in those combinations?
Methinks Henry will still be looking at the end of the year if he relies on these two to provide some spark and ballast.
stash said | January 25th 2010 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Kahui is back from injury and he is class – Also Icy Toeava, who finally showed what Henry glimpsed with deft touches and powerful running. The Carter cover is a big problem and the Steven Donald solution was a disaster…
MarkR said | January 25th 2010 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
Stash, I’m not so sure on that one, what I found interesting was everyone jumped on Donald whenever he made a mistake but if Carter did it no-one commented e.g. duffing the kick-off. Donald seemed to have two main problems. His goal kicking was not up to scratch, & he tried to break the line too often which made him easier to read. Don’t forget he also suffered from a mediocre game plan (running it back at the Bokkies was not the right thing to do from your 22). Don’t forget they faced a fired up French team where the forward pack was unbalanced (especially the loosies in that first test), it looked more like Donald had potential just needed another season to grow into the role. But maybe I’m being soft & we should just take him out back & shoot him then we can shove McAllister or some 20 yr old in there instead.
Side note on experience, the Southland 10 was being rated as the next DC by some of the Kiwi scribes, not sure what they said after the final against Canterbury where he went to pieces. That was an excellent learning game for him & he’ll be better, but imagine someone like that against the Boks. It’d make a Merhtens bad hair day like a DC genius day !
stash said | January 25th 2010 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Donald had a good season with the Chiefs – but he blew multiple chances with the all blacks. He just can’t convert to the international stage – it happens with some players. His chip kicks over the top were awful (and he never adapted his technique)… charge downs, dropped ball, terrible passing, isolated when going for line breaks and you would go…”yay” if he actually caught a high ball.
He cant shake the jitters when he’s on the big stage – which one can sympathise, but I hold him responsible for losing games for the abs last year. Sure its hard being compared to DC, but the guy is not a good all black.
Hammer said | January 25th 2010 @ 3:59pm | Report comment
Well the answer could be just around the corner – Cruden took massive strides in the NPC with Manawatu last season … and I expect him to continue the upward trend in the S14 this year
Matt said | January 25th 2010 @ 8:47am | Report comment
Mauger has always been respected for his tactical nous, which tends to suggests he lacks the power/flare of the Nonu’s and McAlisters. But he was left out of the ill-fated Cardiff QF in 2007 and would have been left wanting a more glorious last foray in the famous black jersey.
The biggest problem he now faces is that Tim Bateman has been a NZ age grade star and has been a very good performer for the Crusaders and Juniors AB’s. He was even on the wishlist of a number of NZ journos wanting to see him get an AB opportunity. Then IMO you have an even better prospect coming through in Ryan Crotty. Crotty was one of the stars of the first U20 World Cup winning team, alongside Guildford, Luke Braid and Daniel Kirkpatrick. In fact Crotty reminds me of a more explosive Mauger more than anything.
So the question then is how do guys like Mauger and Chris Jack get game time ahead of younger players who offer so much promise for the future? The best thing in Maugers favour is that the Crusaders will have an inexperienced No.13 in Robbie Fruean next season, so an experienced No.12 might be just the tonic.
The two midfielder players to watch out for next season though would be Rene Ranger at the Blues and Charlie Ngatai at the Hurricanes. IMO both are AB stars of the future.
Sam Taulelei said | January 25th 2010 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
Shaun Treeby from Wellington is another promising player and played in the same world cup winning side as Guildford and Cruden. Probably possesses one of the best sidesteps that I’ve seen from a midfielder since John Schuster and Brett Papworth.
Tamati Ellison could also play at 12.
12 months ago we were struggling to find any decent locks, midfielders, wingers and fullbacks and now we have some good players vying for selection. We’re still exposed if Carter and McCaw suffer serious injuries so the opportunity exists for Delaney, Donald, Brett, Cruden and Robinson to cement that backup spot for 10 and we’ll have to wait and see if any no.7 sticks their hand up with consistent performances.
Thanks Matt, wasn’t aware that Ranger was moving into the midfield and now that Ngatai is a year older the NZRU won’t object to him playing senior rugby.
It’s a good position for NZ rugby to be in with a number of spots up for grabs and a good mix of experience and youth.
stash said | January 25th 2010 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
I’m pretty sure Rene Ranger is staying on the wing!?… He scored two of three tries against the Hurricanes. And that was as the reserve winger!! Rocko and Rudi Wolf were the run on wingers which is stiff opposition. The Blues backline is super dangerous and Ranger is definitely one to watch this year.
Matt said | January 26th 2010 @ 5:49am | Report comment
Ranger was playing in jersey No.23 for the Blues at the Mangatainoka match. Wulf and Rokocoko played pretty much the whole game as the winger, with Paul Williams staying at 15.
Stanley looked to have picked up a niggle in the first quarter and Ranger appeared to then replace him as a midfielder where he played out the remainder of the game either partnering George Pisi, Stanley (when he briefly retured) or Lachie Munro.
After watching Ranger’s play at 13 in that match, coupled with the game time he’s been getting for Northland in the NPC at 13 I sense that he’s looking to moved off the wing and get some more ball in hand.
No doubt it’ll be tough to get consistent game time in the Blues midfield when you have McAlister, Toeava, Stanley and Pisi to contend with though. But I sense Ranger is on the verge of a big season and I belive he’ll make his mark as a midfielder.
katzilla said | January 25th 2010 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
I really don’t see why Karl Lowe isn’t being considered for the back up 7 position.
His body type is almost indentical to that of Brussow and he turns over alot of ball, as well as being a very strong runner of the ball (moreso then richie).
I think that Latimer is maybe just a tad small for the openside position.
Bay35Pablo said | January 25th 2010 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Mauger’s return is vindication of refusing to pick players not playing domestically. Otherwise we’d all end up like Australia in the football, every player in Europe. Plus the club v country clash would require the entire calendar to be rewritten.
Having said that, SANZAR players should be allowed to play in any SANZAR country, not just their own.
If Mauger comes back and performs in the Super14 then he should get picked. If they pick him in June without any exposure, they could end up with a disaster (again).
MarkR said | January 25th 2010 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Wow, Mauger is going to struggle because a whole bunch of player who are yet to prove themselves at international level are ahead of him or he was overrated to begin with. You guys are harsh !
The good news is that we’ll get to see him play regional/S14 first before he has to think about the ABs which’ll give him a better chance to find his feet than McAllister got. Although my thinking is McAllister can still make his name this season after last years injury debacle leaving Henry with either an unproven non-match fit McAllister or a newbie in his run on team.
OJ – Tana was the key back then, but Mauger helped give him both space & tactical support for whoever was at first 5 i.e. he could kick, pass, & take a gap. Don’t under rate him just because he was inside one of the best centres we’ve had in the last 20 yrs.
stash said | January 25th 2010 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Mark – that’s right.
I’ve always considered Mauger a “team man” and that can be a healthy balance if the team already has a fair share of “stars players”. Likewise, I always thought Leon McDonald fitted that mold as well. Solid, reliable, steady…and always thinking about the team effort as opposed to being self centred
ohtani's jacket said | January 25th 2010 @ 11:57pm | Report comment
Mauger was okay. He did the job for the All Blacks and you could probably argue that Carter played his best rugby alongside Mauger. Above all, he filled the position and made sure second five wasn’t a problem for us. Nonetheless, I don’t think he was a great player and that’s likely why he hasn’t impressed in Europe. He’s spent most of his playing career in two of the best rugby systems in the world — Canterbury and the All Blacks. Stick him somewhere else and I’m not sure that he stands out. I wouldn’t go so far to say he wouldn’t have been an All Black if not for the Crusaders, but had he played alongside an Auckland first five eighths in the All Blacks or played for another province I think he would’ve had a hard time cracking the side and may not have lasted as long. Plus his defence was a shambles in the 2003 World Cup.
Spiro Zavos said | January 25th 2010 @ 4:58pm | Report comment
If Aaron Cruden’s play comes on in the next two Super Rugby seasons, and his goal-kicking improves, then the most obvious weakness in New Zealand rugby – no back up for Daniel Carter – will be solved.
My feeling about Aaron Mauger is that he is being brought back as a contingency back-up if Cruden, potentially a most brilliant player and a leader, comes up short.
I would expect some pressure too to be placed on Nick Evans, as a further back-up for Carter/Cruden/Mauger/Mike Delaney
Stephen Donald’s future (if he has one) could be an second five-eighths. But there are better candidates ahead of him here. Donald’s problem is that he is totally unco-ordinated. He runs like a puppet that has its strings cut.
The All Black selectors have some serious thinking to do. Luke Macalister seems to deflate on the big occasions, although his goal-kicking is excellent. Donald is a journeyman without many skills. But the selectors seem wedded to them.
In my view it was poor selection that lost the All Blacks the quarter final in Cardiff in the 2007 RWC. I’ve been told (I don’t know how accurate this is) that Graham Henry allowed Steve Hansen to select the team on the understanding that he’d get his team for the semi-final and final!
The All Blacks did not play their front line team once in the 2007 RWC. The Springboks on the other hand played most of their top players in every match.
Ian Noble said | January 26th 2010 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
Spiro
Nick Evans is contracted to Quins until the end of the GP season 2011. To date he always said he will see out his contract, but I suspect if he wanted to return earlier than Quins would probably agree as they recently have done with Gary Botha who has returned to the Bulls. The worst thing Quins could do is hang onto an unhappy player.
stash said | January 25th 2010 @ 11:16pm | Report comment
I think Cruden missed a spot in the end of year tour because Henry and Co were looking for a return on their Stephen Donald investment, which is understandable. Unfortunately, it was about as valuable as Lehman shares. Donald had a good Super 14 and had one particularly good outing with the ABs the previous year.
The Super 14 final showcased Donald’s fatal flaw of not making enough time when defence is energetic and “that” panic that penetrates his play (as opposed to Dan Carter’s trademark calm)
Henry expected a much better overall performance from Donald for the AB season – and will be sorely peeved he didn’t deliver… Donald would need to have a stellar year – and other potentials a lousy year, if he hopes to ever don the black jersey again.
Jerry said | January 26th 2010 @ 5:13am | Report comment
I think Cruden missed a spot cause he’s done nothing of note and hasn’t shown himself to be within a bulls roar of looking like he’s ready. He hasn’t even shown he can handle S14 yet (I don’t believe the AIr NZ Cup is a sufficient proving ground). And he weighs about 65kg.
He’s got potential, but Stephen Donald is far better than him at this stage.
Matt said | January 26th 2010 @ 6:02am | Report comment
Well, in his defense Jerry (not that I feel he needs it) Cruden was named IRB Junior player of the year after captaining the U20’s to a comprehensive WC victory. He has great natural leadership ability and is very strongly a team first type player. He is also a great backline organiser and has a calming temperament from first receiver.
So essentially he possesses most of the traits that good coaches look for and which players like Donald seem to lack. Admittedly it is hard to judge the full measure of talent without seeing Cruden face some greater adversity, but the hurdles he has already cleared are a testament to the type of guy he is. And all this at such a young age too.
Whoever has to back up Carter will always have it tough. Whether that is Cruden, we’ll probably know by this time next year. But to say “he’s done nothing of note” is a bit harsh.
Mike Delany was selected for the AB’s off the back of NPC form (and one S14 game). He’s also not much bigger (if at all) than Cruden, who I beleive is around the 83kg mark.
Cruden missed the Mangatainoka pre-season game (against the Blues) where the far more experienced Stephen Brett was outclassed by inexperience Daniel Kirkpatrick. Similarly, Willie Ripia was also sketchy and Piri Weepu looked most at home in the Canes No.10 jersey. Next week in Porirua Cruden will be back (after a poke in the eye ruled him out last weekend) against a good looking Brumbies outfit. NZ rugby dearly needs him to prove the doubters wrong.
Jerry said | January 26th 2010 @ 6:27am | Report comment
I’m not denying he’s got potential, but at this stage that’s all. Junior player of the year is a good achievement but Ben Atiga and Jerome Kaino also won that award – Kaino took about 4 years to establish himself as a test player after that and Atiga never really stepped up.
I don’t think it is harsh to say he’s done nothing of note, though I should probably clarify that I was meaning “nothing at senior level”. A few encouraging matches for Manawatu don’t cut it in my opinion.
It’s just strange in that I can’t recall an NZ player being so hyped up before actually doing anything. It’s not usually the way the NZ rugby public does things.
Jerry said | January 26th 2010 @ 6:36am | Report comment
Oh yeah, and Mike Delaney had played a full season with the Highlanders in 08, but I take your point that he was largely selected on Air NZ cup form.
ohtani's jacket said | January 25th 2010 @ 11:46pm | Report comment
I don’t think there’s much chance of a young guy playing first five for NZ this close to the World Cup. Henry will sooner choice Donald than Gruden or any other hopeful.
Henry tends to be a bit conservative when it comes to Test experience and guys who know his system, though he’s certainly burnt through a fair number of players in his six years at the helm. Donald was coming along okay in his cameos against the Wallabies. He just wasn’t ready for first five job on an All Blacks side that was playing poorly.