Pat Lam had to plead his case about staying on as Blues coach on Friday, but it was the day after that perhaps he made his biggest statement.
His lowly Blues pulled off one of the Super Rugby upsets of the season on Saturday, winning 30-16 at Canberra Stadium over the Brumbies, who were playing for a finals berth.
The Blues were playing for pride.
They destroyed the Brumbies with a wide running game, consigning the home side to an embarrassing 33 missed tackles and one of their worst defensive games of the year.
After the match, Blues captain Keven Mealamu gave his full support to Lam, whose future after a four-year tenure at the helm of the Auckland-based franchise is in doubt.
“We wanted to go out and do it for him,” Mealamu said.
“I’m really grateful we’ve got a coach like Pat – someone who puts the team first.
“We wanted to make sure we finished his last two games well for him and it’s good we were able to do that.”
Lam, meanwhile, rued a performance that came perhaps too late.
“To finish like that, I wish the season was starting again,” he said with a smile.
“But it’s just been one of those seasons and we’ve copped it quite a bit.
“I’m just so proud for all that we stayed united and we went out there to show what we’re really made of.”
Injuries have marred the Blues’ year, and saw them plummet from title contenders at the start of the season to last place in the New Zealand conference.
Of their 43 contracted players, only 16 were available for the Brumbies game.
But Lam said there was still huge potential for the club next year, noting a significant jump in performances since employing an extra full-time coach.
“We are the most under-resourced coaching team, but (since getting another coach) … we’ve been able to put some quality work in.”
“I look forward to the day when the Blues are where they should be – whether I’m there or not.”
The Blues’ triumph over the Brumbies was their second consecutive win of the season, having beaten Western Force by 32-9 last round at Eden Park.
The Blues are expected to confirm their coach for the next Super Rugby season after the weekend.
SamClench
Roar Pro
The Blues are chronic underachievers, they need someone new to come in and lay down the law. Though they will be a pain to coach whoever is in the top job, you feel. Undisciplined players.
Pogo
Guest
Brett was more of an obstacle to local talent than anything.
Johnno
Guest
-Well steve brett left guys, not his fault europe has more money as did mcallister leave too. -And aslo a certain sir graham henry also used to rotate all teams rotate now at super rugby level not just pat lam.
Taniwha
Guest
As a Blues fan, Lam has to go. He might be a nice guy but when was that ever a requirement to be a coach. He can complain all he wants, but his inconsistency in selecting around 8-9-10 axis over two years says it all. He bought a squad together that had no experienced 10 in it, than dilly dallied between Hobbs and Anscombe (sp?). Compare his treatment of Ansombe to how Hamment treated Barrett. Yes he has had a lot of injuries, and was unfortunate with Nonu being stuffed from playing and Weepu being to stuffed with meat pies at start of season, but comes back to squad depth. Obviously not all his fault, Auckland consistently has all the best school 15's, yet a lot of that is being taken by league scouts. I think it needs a clean out from CEO but that won't happen. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He had a rough time no doubt. but i still cannot forgive him for always chopping and changing his number 10 over the years. Everybody knows that is the vital cog in your side the 9, 10 combination. Lam never allowed anyone to settle in that position and therefore i don't think he has ever got the best out of the massive depth of talent he has had over the years in the backline.
Johnno
Guest
-Pat Lam press conference after brumbues win and i am now firmly in Pat lam's corner after hearing the nightmare he has had to put ub with at the auckland blues. -Most under funded of the NZ franchises and this is Auckland the biggest city in NZ makes it even more staggering. -Only 2 full time coaches all season then former AB jeff wilson came on as a 3rd in the past month and results last 4 weeks have massively improved. Most teams have about 4 full time Pat lam and 1 other formed 2 , ridiculous in 2012 pro rugby the NZRU have a lot to awnser for. -43 players used this year and full time squads are only 30 plus 5 shadow in super rugby, so he had to really ind semi pro players to back up -Huge injury toll 16 of his front line squad wasn't available yesterday Names like Kaino, Ali williams out, , tony woodcock was injured in part sof season, as was kevin mealamu. -And Piri weepu and Ma Nonu both have headword cup hangovers and exhaustion and fitness issues, were dynamic yesterday s they are now fit and fresh -So blame the NZRU for the farcical blues situation , Pat Lam is the innocent victim here
Emric
Guest
Pat has done a good job. His players must accept responsibility for failing to preform on the field and stick to the game plan. When they did preform and stick to the game plan the looked like a champion side.
atlas
Guest
I looked at the squad for their season opener v Crusaders, lost 18-19. From that match, when they played their best available side (minus Nonu and Woodcock who were unavailable) thirteen were missing yesterday v Brumbies. They lost 16 of their 30 overall. From memory they lost six after their second or third match. Downhill ever since. Very early in the season the NZ Herald reported ten players had said they were not re-signing for 2013, so Lam has had to cope with injuries and possibly un-motivated players looking ahead to next year. Unsure what other coach would have survived this situation.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Yes but those players were brought in thru nothing other then necessity, you can hardly credit that to masterstroke. Pity the season is over and the form should have started when it mattered. There are better coaches wanting the position, and i think it's time for him to go. This year is not the only disappointing year under Pat Lam.
Terry Tavita
Guest
his selections - and new players - have just about hit top form..keep him on..