Mauger retires

Simon S-B

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Mar 30, 2010, 8:59:43 AM3/30/10

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/8594867.stm

Unlucky on him. We had glimpses of what he could do in the GP and HC, but
due to injuries he never really had a decent run. I'm sure Tim and John
could make a better assessment of his time here, but i don't think there's
any doubt that his best years were in NZ.

Mark (newsgroups)

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Mar 30, 2010, 9:03:25 AM3/30/10

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On Mar 30, 1:59 pm, "Simon S-B" <baitt...@gmail.com> wrote:
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/8594867...

>
> Unlucky on him. We had glimpses of what he could do in the GP and HC, but
> due to injuries he never really had a decent run. I'm sure Tim and John
> could make a better assessment of his time here, but i don't think there's
> any doubt that his best years were in NZ.

Strange. I had the opinion that Mauger was one of the under-rated
stars of the AB backline. He took a lot of decision making pressure
himself, and made the right ones.

caspar milquetoast

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Mar 30, 2010, 10:03:11 AM3/30/10

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He was the shining light in the All Blacks backline in the early
noughties but he chose one of the weaker periods of All Blacks rugby
when the support was not there to capitalise on his talent. It is no
accident that the game's greatest legends over-achieve when quality
players surround them.

Simon S-B

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Mar 30, 2010, 10:11:57 AM3/30/10

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"caspar milquetoast" <bo...@comswest.net.au> wrote in message
news:UeednYKcwuE6mS_W...@westnet.com.au...

I know he was saddled with Spencer (who I'm sure everyone told us was God)
for a bit, but he did also play with Carter inside him and Tana outside. In
anyones book, they're hardly slouches Rick.

caspar milquetoast

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Mar 30, 2010, 10:35:44 AM3/30/10

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Simon S-B wrote:

> I know he was saddled with Spencer (who I'm sure everyone told us was
> God) for a bit, but he did also play with Carter inside him and Tana
> outside. In anyones book, they're hardly slouches Rick.

He played more with Merhts and Spencer than with Carter -- and both were
past their best at that stage. When Carter came in first he actually
replaced Mauger at inside centre. And first Mauger played with Robinson
at centre and then Umaga came in, and he was never a proper centre so
I'm not setting much store in him I'm afraid. Cullen was finishing up at
fullback, then MacDonald had a go, and a spell at centre as well, and
flyhalf God help us. Ralph came and went on one wing, youngsters called
Howlett and Rokocoko were starting up -- it was all over the place.

ruggeryoda

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Mar 31, 2010, 5:19:18 AM3/31/10

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On Mar 30, 3:03 pm, "Mark (newsgroups)" <marknewsgro...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

Same here. A much needed calm head at 12 that always brought stability
if nothing else.

-R

timbochov

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Mar 31, 2010, 1:54:32 PM3/31/10

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On Mar 30, 6:03 am, "Mark (newsgroups)" <marknewsgro...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

I thought his tactical kicking (at #12) was average at best.