Warring Super Rugby coaches Daryl Gibson and Aaron Mauger and the special bond they share

DARYL Gibson and Aaron Mauger just can’t keep apart. They went to the same school, played for the same teams but now they’re on opposite sides, chasing the same prize.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson and his good friend, Highlanders counterpart Aaron Mauger.

THE Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson and his Highlanders counterpart Aaron Mauger just can’t seem to escape each other.

Whether by accident or design, their worlds just keep colliding.

They’ve got history, a long history, but theirs is one bonded by shared experiences and deep mutual respect.

Tonight, they’ll square off as opponents, both desperate to win, both plotting to outsmart each other, but when the game’s over, they’ll go back to being friends, just as they always have.

“I’ve known Aaron since we were kids. We went to the same school,” Gibson told The Saturday Telegraph.

“The great thing about rugby, regardless of what level you play at, is that your teammates are always your mates.”

NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson looks on during a team training session. Picture: AAP

The pair first crossed paths at Christchurch Boys High, one of New Zealand’s great rugby nurseries. Seven years older, Gibson was a senior when Mauger enrolled at the school, but their shared passion for rugby meant they moved in the same circles.

Gibson was a teenage prodigy, picked to play for Canterbury while he was still in school. Mauger watched and studied Gibson closely, partly because they both played inside centre, but also because he admired his approach to the game, so he never strayed too far behind.

Canterbury Crusaders Daryl Gibson (L) wraps up Queensland’s Danian Smith during his playing days. Picture: News Corp

When Mauger finished school, he teamed up with Gibson at the Crusaders, winning Super Rugby titles together in 2000 and 2002. They also played together for the All Blacks and when they finished their careers in New Zealand, both ended up at Leicester.

“Gibbo’s a top bloke and was an awesome mentor to me,” Mauger said.

“I was really lucky in my early years to work under someone in my position who had all those values so I really learnt a lot from him

“I was probably the guy who was always snapping at his heels but guys like Gibbo really helped nurse me into the player I became through those years by being good role models and good people.”

Daryl Gibson (L) and Aaron Mauger (R) often found themselves competing for the same position. Picture: Getty

Despite their strong ties, Gibson and Mauger often found themselves competing for the same position. Mauger started at inside centre in the 2002 Super Rugby final while Gibson was on the bench.

Mauger made his test debut for the All Blacks in 2001. The following year, Gibson played the last of his 19 tests, while Mauger went on to make 77 appearances.

“I was in the sort of position where Aaron eventually took my place and rightly so,” Gibson said.

“Even when he was a kid, I just remember him as incredibly talented, mature for his age and a real leader.”

Aaron Mauger (R) was a menace against Australian sides for years.

It’s no surprise that both turned their hands to coaching after their playing careers ended, inspired by the likes of Steve Hansen, Robbie Deans and Wayne Smith, who urged them to give something back to the game.

And once again, Mauger took his cue from Gibson.

“I was fortunate enough to watch Daryl coach when I finished my own playing career and transitioned into coaching and was equally impressed with the influence that he was having on the players,” Mauger said.

“Gibbo’s always been very calm and measured and never lets too much fluster him and that’s one of the things he has been able to pass on.

“He was an awesome footy player as well, he was very physical, had some great skills and was a smart thinker of the game.”

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson talks to captain Michael Hooper. Picture: Getty

It’s also no major revelation that Gibson and Mauger share a common philosophy on rugby, which is reflected in the way the Waratahs and Highlanders play the game.

“We both try to play very positive rugby with the ball in hand, use the ball so I see just a continuation of the things that we experienced as players,” Gibson said.

“We both want to win and we’re both setting our teams up the best we can and trying to get the best out of them.”

Both men also hate to lose. They may be pals, but they’re in full agreement there’s no room for any sentiment tonight with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

“First and foremost, everything we do is about the team,” Mauger said.

“There’s certainly no vendetta trying to get one up one Gibbo, everything we do is always for the team.”

Originally published as Warring Super Rugby coaches Daryl Gibson and Aaron Mauger and the special bond they share