Rugby: Umaga sees West as Blues' first-choice pivot

Ihaia West.

New year, new coach, new attitude at the Blues.

Gone is the metaphorical revolving door at the pivotal first-five position under John Kirwan's reign, and in is new coach Tana Umaga's endorsement of Ihaia West as the man with the No10 jersey to lose.

Umaga has been impressed with West's recent development, and in particular the skill and mental strength he showed in kicking the last-minute conversion for Hawke's Bay to win the Championship final against Wellington last year.

West became the incumbent under Kirwan last year, playing 15 matches as the Blues limped to second-to-last place on the table.

His rivals for the jersey were Simon Hickey and Dan Bowden, both of whom have signed with offshore clubs after being deemed by Umaga as surplus to requirements.

While West played well in patches, he will want to play a more dominant role in 2016 and an early endorsement from Umaga should help.

In 2014, Hickey, West, Benji Marshall and Chris Noakes were all tried in the No10 jersey.

This year West will be vying with the inexperienced Matt McGahon and Piers Francis for the first-five spot, and the expectation is for him to take control on and off the field.

"Ihaia West is the guy who has been in Super Rugby for three years," Umaga said today. "I was very impressed with him in last year's ITM Cup. The growing of Ihaia [could be seen] in that kick to win the game. Some people have had issues with Ihaia's mental temperament - being able to handle pressured situations. I just thought his game had grown in the ITM Cup.