RUGBY - I can improve Blues, give me the job - Anscombe

Northland rugby coach Mark Anscombe will add his name to a long list of candidates set to queue up for the Blues Super 14 job next year after incumbent David Nucifora announced his resignation yesterday.
Nucifora will stand down at the end of the current Super 14 season, ending a four-year association with the franchise that started when he was co-opted on to the Blues coaching team as a defence coach under Peter Sloane.
Now Anscombe is keen to push his case, hoping his coaching experience with Northland and North Harbour will help him convince the Blues he is the man to step up.
"I am like any other coach, or any other player in this game, we all want to go to the highest level we can and coaching at Super 14 level is an obvious step in that direction," Anscombe said.
"The Northland Rugby Union are aware and have always been aware that, if the opportunity to coach at Super 14 level arose, that I would be seeking that opportunity."
But even before Nucifora declared his hand yesterday, the drumbeats for a change of coaching staff at the Blues had already been thumping, with current Auckland coaches Pat Lam and Shane Howarth touted as the heir apparents. Howarth's decision to stand down as New Zealand Maori assistant coach is a portent, and Lam's success with Auckland has painted him as the prime candidate to step into Nucifora's shoes.
But Anscombe's no-nonsense style with Northland has helped shape Northland from a winless team into a competitive unit despite limited resources. His frank and forthright manner has not always found favour with players, but has produced some results.
"Anyone can stand outside an organisation like the Blues and fire potshots, but from watching and listening to what has been happening with the Blues, I think I can help a team of banner players perform, or at least perform to a level better than what the Blues have attained in the past six years," Anscombe said.
Nucifora, who has been coach of the franchise for three years, with a year as technical adviser before that, said he would return to Australia with his family at the end of this year's Super 14.
"With (our) children about to start high school, our decision had to come down to what is best for our family," Nucifora said.
"The timing of my contract meant I had to make a definite call now, and it was a very tough call to make. While I have been in discussions with the Australian Rugby Union, I do not have a confirmed job to go to, nor do I intend to be coaching another Super 14 team.
"If I was to continue coaching at this level, I would have stayed with the Blues."
Blues chief executive Andy Dalton said while he was disappointed Nucifora was going, he understood why.
"From the outset, David has informed me of family factors that would affect his decision to coach the Blues. 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 left, the Blues have only an outside chance of advancing. They will need to win all three with bonus points and hope a few teams do them a favour to reach the last four.
Nucifora was obliged by his contract terms to advise the New Zealand union of his intentions by the end of April. He said he felt he must share his decision at the earliest opportunity with the team and fans.