Mauger’s contract with the Highlanders is up at the end of the season and there is speculation on what role he will fill next season.
Mauger has had three years in the role of head coach and took the side to the playoffs in the first two years, only to lose in the first round to the Crusaders both times.
When asked earlier this week whether he would be keen to continue, Mauger was non-committal.
"We will see what happens through the next wee while. I have loved my time here. Really proud of what we are doing and I know we are in good shape going forward," he said.
Mauger said about 10 places were open for the squad for next year. With the player market changing due to Covid-19 and other reasons it may be easier to get players back and will stop the drain of players overseas.
It has been a roller-coaster of a season, which started back n February. He admitted the first game against the Sharks, which was 190 days ago, felt like 10 years ago. The Sharks had a convincing 42-20 victory.
"We are a totally different team from the start of the year. I think there are some good lessons for the younger guys about what is expected and the condition you need to turn up to excel and grow your game at this level.
"You don’t know what you don’t know. If there are a lot of young guys in the same position, it is quite a big responsibility, almost a burden, for those older guys, the leaders, to get their own body right, and prepare themselves."
He said the leadership group had grown and players such as prop Ayden Johnstone and back Ngane Punivai had moved into the leadership group.
"Guys like that are the future of the club."
Highlanders v Hurricanes
