Aaron Mauger resigns as Moana Pasifika coach, but will stay on for the remainder of the season

Aaron Mauger has resigned as head coach of Moana Pasifika after two years in the job.

Mauger had signed a contract in October 2021 to coach Moana Pasifika for three years, Mauger informed the Moana Pasifika board late last week that he wouldn’t be continuing in the role next season.

However, Mauger will stay on as the team’s head coach for the final two games of the season, away to Fijian Drua, the Waratahs and then depart his role.

It is not yet known why Mauger has decided to not coach Moana Pasifika next year, but the team are expected to release a statement today.

It was reported on Sky TV’s the Breakdown that Moana Pasifika’s best player, Levi Aumua is leaving the team next year to play for the Crusaders and he will sign a New Zealand Rugby contract.

The Crusaders are believed to have beaten the Blues and Rugby Australia to sign Aumua.

But for Moana Pasifika and Samoa, who would have hoped to have been able to select him for the World Cup, it’s a bitter blow, that flies in the face of what the team is trying to achieve.