Blues’ coach Pat Lam has deflected questions about his post-2012 ambitions, saying his focus is on preparing his side for this week’s Super Rugby clash.
Lam is in his fourth year with the Blues, but it looks like being his last after the Auckland-based franchise announced on Wednesday that the position for 2013 would be advertised now rather than after an end-of-season review.
Semi-finalists last year, the Blues’ fortunes have spiralled downhill this season.
They are bottom of the table with just one win from 10 matches ahead of an encounter with fellow strugglers the Lions in Auckland on Friday night.
Lam, 43, declined to say whether he would reapply for the post.
“I have a job to do this week and that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“I’m contracted to finish this off. We know where we’re at. We’re working hard to get a win and I will just continue doing my job.”
His reaction to the board’s decision was that “they have to do what’s right by the Blues”, and he was “all good” about the future for himself and his family.
“Whether we’re here next year or somewhere else, it’s exciting,” he said.
Blues’ chief executive Andy Dalton said the decision to advertise now was based on team performance.
“It was felt the best way forward is to get the position out there for 2013 and get the best coaching group together that we can,” he said.
He added that the position would be open to New Zealand and foreign coaches.
Dalton and Blues’ board chairman Gary Whetton met Lam on Tuesday night to pass on the news.
“I don’t think he was surprised but it was a tough call,” he said.
“We’re all hurting for him. He’s a good man.”
Jarmen
Guest
I personally hope John Schmidt gets a look in, he was on 3 News Midday expressing his interest today. Lam has all but been fired and it is about time.
Riccardo
Guest
The only thing the Blues have focussed on all season are their pay-packets, WAGS, and twitter. Advertising for a new coach has to be seen as positive but unless the whole franchise is put under the microscope that is where it ends. They have the worst record in the franchise's history and it's not just Lam's fault. Word over here is that JK's already been talking to Dalton and Whetton. Cotter's locked in at Clermont. Schmidt may be interested as a stepping stone to the big job. John Mitchell's name has come up too but I hope not. He's only won 3 games with the Lions in 2 years and the 2003 debacle is not remembered fondly. Mallet's name has also been bandied about and his old school approach may be just the elixir. I really want to keep believing but it remains a struggle.