Mauger confirms return to New Zealand
January 21 2010
Leicester Tigers centre Aaron Mauger has confirmed that he will leave the English club at the season and return to New Zealand in an attempt to win back his place for the 2011 World Cup.
The 46-Test veteran is set to head back to former club Canterbury with whom he has already started discussions about his return.
Apart from wanting to win back a place in the All Blacks team for the global showpiece, the 29-year-old says his decision was also influenced by a desire to bring up his two young children near their extended family.
Mauger's first hurdle to be to get over a nagging back injury that has threatened his career in recent months.
"I am leaving Leicester, which is pretty sad, but I want to go back to New Zealand and look at the opportunities of playing over there again with an eye on the World Cup," he told the Leicester Mercury.
"My desire is to play again for the All Blacks and Canterbury and give it my best crack.
"I have talked to the All Blacks coaches. I caught up with them during their autumn tour and have had some discussions through my agent with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) about a possible contract.
"We are sorting out that (central contract) now. It just depends on me being in the right space to sign something.
"I won't sign anything until I am 100 per cent sure that I can give it my best shot because my body has been playing up over the last couple of years.
"I know there are no guarantees but the correspondence I have had with the NZRU has been pretty positive.
"They want me to give it my best shot and, if I am playing well enough, I will be in with a chance of making the All Blacks squad.
"We want to live in Canterbury. We have a house there and that is where we want to settle. We want the kids to go to school in the country where we will be based and have a chance to spend more time with our family."
Mauger, who made his 50th appearance in Tigers colours against Viadana last Saturday, admitted it was a tough decision.
"We have made some lifelong friends here and have loved our time living in Kibworth," said Mauger.
"It's a fantastic village.
"The club have been great to me and Leicester has the best fans I have ever come across.
"All of us foreign players acknowledge the support of the fans and it feels amazing to run out at Welford Road with everyone shouting. It has been an awesome experience here."