Former All Black Aaron Mauger has signed to the Highlanders as assistant coach for the 2018-19 seasons.
Mauger has impressed during coaching tenures as the assistant coach of the Crusaders in 2013 and 2014, and more recently as head coach of the Leicester Tigers, a team he played 53 games for between 2007 and 2010.
His coaching term with the Tigers began in 2015 and concluded this season with the team capturing the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Mauger will be moving to Dunedin in late July with his wife Amy and four children, and is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Highlanders next season. The club have worked extremely hard over the last four to five years in particular to create an environment that allows the people and the team to perform at their best and to the highest levels," he said.
"I feel very privileged to be joining the club and to be in a position on the coaching staff where I can help add to the fantastic structure put in place and help grow the team and club to achieve future success.”
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark was delighted with the appointment “with the departure of Tony Brown at the end of the season we were on the lookout for another quality attack coach for the next few years".
"I know the whole club are absolutely thrilled that Aaron has chosen the Highlanders as the next step in his coaching career. Coaches of his ability are keenly sought after globally and to retain his services is excellent news."