Former All Blacks midfielder Alama Ieremia admits coaching the Auckland NPC team has been in some way a strange experience.
The 47-year-old played 65 games for the Wellington Lions and played 41 matches for the Hurricanes.
Ieremia has been tasked to lift the Auckland NPC side and return them back to the top of the New Zealand rugby after a disappointing last few seasons.
He said he is still adjusting to being part of the Auckland set-up.
"It's interesting, we played Wellington in the pre-season and it felt quite weird walking across the pitch," Ieremia told Stuff .
"But it's part and parcel of the job these days and there are coaches everywhere that aren't in the teams where they're from.
"But I've enjoyed Auckland and understanding more about the jersey and why Auckland got to where it was and all of the history behind it.
"I've been really fascinated by that and we've been making sure we respect and understand that.
"Our identity is really important for us moving forward, so unless you understand where you came from, you're going to find it a bit difficult to move forward."
Auckland open their Mitre 10 Cup campaign tomorrow afternoon against cross-town rivals Counties Manukau at Eden Park.
"There's a good confidence there, but we're not getting ahead of ourselves," said Ieremia.
Auckland finished second to last in the 2017 Premiership Mitre 10 Cup, finishing one point ahead of Waikato, the Mooloos have this year been relegated to the NPC Championship competition.
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