Nucifora quits Blues; Lam lined up
Thu, 01 May 2008 10:11
Thanks for the good times: David Nucifora speaks to the media
The ink had hardly dried on the statement that David Nucifora had decided he would not coach the Blues in 2009, and the candidates to replace him had already been lined up.
The Blues and Nucifora, in a joint statement on Thursday, confirmed that Nucifora - who has been head coach of the franchise for three years, with a year as Technical Advisor before that - would return to Australia with his family at the end of the Super 14 season.
And top of the list of candidates to replace him is Auckland coach and former All Black loose forward Pat Lam.
"With my children about to start high school, our decision had to come down to what is best for our family," Nucifora said about his decision to move on.
"The timing of my contract meant I had to make a definite call now – and it was a very tough call to make."
Nucifora, who coached the Brumbies to Super 12 victory in 2004 before joining up with the Blues in 2005, has been linked to a High Performance job with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
However, he said nothing had been confirmed yet.
"While I have been in discussions with the ARU, I do not have a confirmed job to go to, nor do I intend to be coaching another Super 14 team," Nucifora said.
"If I was to continue coaching at this level, I would have stayed with the Blues.
"These last three years have been the most enjoyable of my coaching career. It has been an absolute privilege."
Blues CEO Andy Dalton said while he was disappointed Nucifora was not continuing with the franchise, he understood the reasons why.
"From the outset, David has informed me of family factors that would affect his decision to coach the Blues," Dalton said.
"I have huge respect for him and the significant results he has achieved within the franchise since he became Head Coach. We are sorry to see him go but will farewell him at the end of this competition with our best wishes."
Although there are three more round-robin games in the Super 14, Nucifora was obliged by the terms of his contract to advise the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) of his intentions by the end of April.
He said he felt it was important to share his decision at the earliest opportunity with the team and Blues supporters in order for the Blues to focus solely on the next three matches.
NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said Nucifora went with the best wishes of the NZRU.
"We know the reasons for him wanting to go home and wish him and his family all the very best back in Australia," Sorensen said.
"David has been an outstanding coach and we thank him for his contribution."
Sorensen said Nucifora’s departure would now give other coaches the opportunity to take over one of New Zealand’s leading rugby teams.
He said the Blues franchise and the NZRU would start the recruitment process at the conclusion of the Super 14.
However, according to reports in the New Zealand media Lam is set to launch his campaign to replace Nucifora as Blues coach immediately and must be the frontrunner.
Lam is the leading contender to take the job, having coached the all-conquering Auckland side in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Just as importantly, he has strong links to Auckland and Blues rugby from his own playing days.
The former Manu Samoa and All Black international said he was determined to do all he could to secure the sought-after coaching position.
"Most people expected that [Nucifora's exit]. Now that it has happened, I will wait for the process and definitely throw my name in the hat," Lam told Yahoo!Xtra.
"I have stated all along that I feel I am ready for the Super 14.
"I am very keen to coach the Blues. But I need to go through the process. So I have been preparing and at this stage will continue my job with Auckland and prepare for that process."
Lam has formed an impressive coaching duo with Shane Howarth in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Lam said it was too soon to confirm whether he would push for Howarth to be his assistant if successful in gaining the Blues job.
"First things first, the head coach is available," Lam said.
"That is something I would go for first. If successful, then I will go to the next step. But the only position at the moment is the head coach."
