Rugby: Auckland look for answers after abysmal end to season

Chief executive Andy Dalton is sticking by Auckland caretaker coach Shane Howarth. Photo / Getty Images

The soul-searching has started within Auckland Rugby following its horrendous Air New Zealand Cup season.

The defending champions missed out on the quarterfinals after losing to Northland on Sunday and ended up finishing 11th on the competition ladder.

Auckland Rugby chief executive Andy Dalton says it is disappointing to miss out on the playoffs but he is certain it is not the start of a disturbing trend. He is confident they will be right at the top of the competition once all the current squad spend some time together.

Dalton points out that while there is no excuse for their lowly finish, they struggled to cater for the loss of 14 experienced players and it was also disruptive to lose coach Pat Lam midway through the season.

Dalton says Lam's departure certainly had an impact in terms of consistency but the end result is not a reflection on Shane Howarth's role and he plans to sit down with Howarth in the near future to see whether he wants to apply for the Auckland coaching job.

Dalton hopes to name a new coach by mid-November.

- NEWSTALK ZB