Wanted - coaching magician for Blues team

The Blues' 22-10 loss to the Hurricanes at Eden Park said much about their season. Picture / Dean Purcell

The ad goes in this weekend. Simple enough, the Blues need a head coach for the start of the Super 14.

Not so simple is finding and settling on a suitable replacement for Peter Sloane, hiring someone who can rectify the spotty record of the past seven seasons and appease some of the provincial frustration.

Reaching one finals series since Graham Henry left in 1998 - and that when he returned to assist in 2003 - is a motley return for a region with three NPC first division sides. Those resources should be a strength rather than a divisive factor and something the NZRU must address further through its Blues administrative emissaries led by David White.

Who knows, it could take an Australian with scant allegiance to anything but the franchise to reshape it.

David Nucifora was head coach of the Brumbies, who won the title last year while he got the boot and accepted a technical advisory role with Auckland and the Blues.

Perhaps it needs someone to persuade Warren Gatland he is needed, that any eligibility or contractual issues can be overcome if the Blues are his best avenue to coaching the All Blacks.

Whatever the coaching decision in late June, the 2005 season has to be filed in the failure bin. Any excuses about rebuilding should be ignored, as 16 of the victorious 2003 squad returned.

There was a long injury list, especially at halfback, first five-eighths and lock, but most teams had similar dramas. And for most matches, the Blues could rustle up one of their choices in each position.

Erratic decisions about kicking for goal, repeat handling and basic skill mistakes, failure to convert breaks once the advantage line had been breached - these problems were all too plentiful.

Indiscipline cost them. Five players suspended - Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, David Gibson, Sam Tuitupou and Rua Tipoki - were self-inflicted wounds.

Court cases involving several players no doubt also had an unsettling effect.

The Blues were bitten by selections again. Last season they suffered through the lack of a backup for openside flanker Daniel Braid, this time it was the absence of a fill-in for Ben Atiga at centre.

Mils Muliaina might have been the answer but he was only tried once the efforts to turn Luke McAlister into a centre had broken down. McAlister is still learning his craft and he was punished because of his versatility.

At times North Harbour perceive they are marginalised, a slant they could argue with the lack of starts for Tom Harding, Rudi Wulf and Nick Williams. Auckland could respond by pointing out the minimal gametime for Saimone Taumoepeau and Justin Collins.

For much of the season, the forwards competed strongly at the setpieces. John Afoa handled the workload well at tighthead, Ali Williams (when playing) and Greg Rawlinson were strong lineout targets but there was a lack of consistent sting from the loosies.

Captain Xavier Rush was always industrious, Kaino a thumping defender but too inaccurate on attack, while Braid's linking skills ebbed because of the side's inefficiency at the breakdowns.

Powerful ball runners Nick Williams and Bradley Mika did not get enough opportunities.

The staff dealt with Carlos Spencer once they thought he had been given enough chances. They felt he did not follow their ideas, even at practice, and eventually replaced him with Tasesa Lavea.

He looked lively and in control before the return of the injuries which have blighted his career, forcing him out of the season.

After a slow start Doug Howlett showed up in the later stages but Joe Rokocoko scarcely fired. Problems came early. After a narrow escape against the Reds, the Blues disregarded that warning against the Chiefs and suffered.

That defeat and three in a row to end their season, including the woeful loss to the Hurricanes, said much about their productivity.

Still want to apply?

The record

beat Highlanders 30-14
beat Reds 18-15

lost Chiefs 9-18
lost Crusaders 19-41

beat Brumbies 17-0
beat Cats 23-6
beat Sharks 36-13
beat Stormers 37-24

lost Bulls 24-38
lost Hurricanes 10-22
lost Waratahs

Points for: 243
Points against: 216
Tries: 30

Try scorers: Doug Howlett 6, Joe Rokocoko 5, Tasesa Lavea 3, Mils Muliaina 3, Isa Nacewa 3, Luke McAlister 2, Xavier Rush 2, Justin Collins 1, David Gibson 1, Keven Mealamu 1, Bradley Mika 1, Carlos Spencer 1, Rua Tipoki 1.
Kicking stats: Lavea 11 (4 con, 1 pen), McAlister 82 (17 con, 16 pen).