Rugby: Axe falls on Howarth

Coach Pat Lam will see out his three-year contract with the Blues for next year's Super 15 rugby competition, but his assistant of the past two seasons, Shane Howarth, has not survived an end of season review.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Blues said in a brief statement today that the Blues' assistant coach role will be advertised following the recommendation of the coaching review panel which had looked at the performance of Lam and Howarth in this year's Super rugby competition.

Lam and Howarth, both on three-year contracts, first took charge of the Blues in 2009 when the team finished ninth. They finished seventh this year.

The statement said Howarth is eligible to re-apply for the assistant coach position.

The review panel consisted of NZRU board member Graham Mourie, NZRU high performance coach development manager Mike Chu, Blues chairman Greg Muir, Blues chief executive Andy Dalton, and Blues directors Grant Fox and Gary Whetton.

The coaching position will be advertised from July 11.

- NZPA