Rugby: Aaron Mauger named Leicester coach

Aaron Mauger. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Aaron Mauger will be the latest New Zealand rugby coach to head offshore with the Crusaders assistant being named as the new head coach at the Leicester Tigers.

Mauger, 33, who will complete his third Super Rugby season as assistant coach with the Crusaders next season, played 53 games for the Leicester Tigers between 2007 and 2010 and captained the side for much of the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The former All Blacks said it is a dream opportunity to return to a club that he is so fond of, in a head coach capacity.

"I have awesome memories of my time at Leicester as a player and it is a place I will very happily return to," Mauger said.

"I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to do that as the head coach for the club and the timing is right for me to grab that opportunity. My aim is to help create the framework for Leicester to once again be amongst the top clubs in European and world rugby.

Leicester have been without a head coach since Matt O'Connor left for Leinster in May last year. Director of rugby Richard Cockerill has held the role since.

The 10-time English premiership winners, who finished third last season, includes former All Blacks and Crusaders players Brad Thorn and Scott Hamilton.

Mauger has signed a three year contract, which will start after the 2015 Super Rugby season.

"I am loving being part of the coaching team at the Crusaders and still learning so much here, so it was not an easy decision to make. But I still have a whole Super Rugby season ahead of me to enjoy with this team, and then I know that the move to Leicester is the right thing to do for my coaching career. I would love to come back and coach in New Zealand long-term and I believe that this overseas experience will help me to do that and to become a better coach," Mauger said.