TBF I'm Judging it on his last season with us.4071 wrote:The absolute faith in Mauger to turn everything around is touching, but only justifiable if he has a track record of turning dull, blunt teams full of fairly average players into lethal attacking units.
I'm sure his time at the Crusaders will offer some hope to us all, with the side that are historically the best side in the SXV competition currently languishing in mid-table....
He worked heavily with the Backs whilst he was injured along with Murphy the two of them were pretty much backs coach during that time.
Even when we had Backs Like Staunton playing 15 and Vesty looking like a potential England 10 It was the last time we actually looked creative IMO.
It was also the last time we had 6 backs scoring 6 or more tries in a season:
11 tries Johne Murphy
10 Scott Hamilton
8 Geordan Murphy
7 Crane
7 Flood
6 Hipkiss
6 Smith
Now do i think he will build Rome in a day no not even a season, but i think he will put the foundations in.
And from what I have heard Mauger has been calling quite a bit of the shots already for next season.
IF Cockers allows him when the season starts is another matter but as I said I think Cockers will be judge hard next season. I doubt Mauger will be pushed around considering he will view this as his main component on his CV for When he returns to NZ with no doubt eyes on a ll blacks job someimte in the future.
Biffer RE Crane he is in his last year of his contract next season (Think him and Croft have a joint testimonial) and Whilst i agree he isn't a starter i'm hoping Pearce and (Fingers crossed) a fit Fonua will prob be ahead of him although to give him his dues he has been a solid player for us.
Hoping Milne will eventually replace him.