Aaron Mauger was a class act when he was playing for the All Blacks and the Crusaders, a feared centre with an amazing step and ruthless defence.

Not many people know that the Moana Pasifika head coach has Samoan links especially to the big island of Savaii.

“On a personal level, it has been amazing. It has been pretty special to represent my family and my Pacific heritage. My grandmother comes from a little island in the Astral Islands, she is also of Cook Island descent, she was born more on the Tahitian side of the Astral Islands,” Mauger said.

“Her grandmother was Samoan, so I also have links to Samoa, in Savaii. I have always been proud of my Pacific Island heritage.

It feels pretty special to be part of this special movement that is happening right now.”

The role as the man in charge of the Moana Pasifika is not easy one. He said there were challenges but he hoped to overcome this with time.

“On a professional level, it has been very different to any other roles, especially when you look at it, in terms of trying to get established,” Mauger said.

“If you look at it, the big one has been, understanding where we at and being patient with the journey knowing that it is a three to five year plan in getting established and compete at the level we want to, week in and week out.

“We want to have consistency and that comes with experience. The more experience we have, the more we learn, the more we understand what we works for us and that is where we have never been before.

“We are still finding our way, right across the organisation.”

Moana Pasifika face the Queensland Reds on Friday at Apia Park. The home support has been good for the players and the management is hoping to convert this energy into a driving factor to win this weekend.

This is Round 8 of Super Rugby and the Moana Pasifika are yet to record a win but things could be different for the team with the home support behind them in their second year in Super Rugby.