Nucifora a fair dinkum prospect for Blues

David Nucifora

David Nucifora will be favoured to coach the Blues next season unless the franchise goes cold on its long-term succession plan.

He became the first Australian to be picked for a Super 12 role in New Zealand and with Peter Sloane's four-year tenure complete, Nucifora is set to step up to replace him.

Nucifora was let go by the champion Brumbies last season when the board folded to pressure from senior players who feared the coach was about to cull them.

The career coach eyed up his chances with other franchises and was appointed to a three-year deal as the Blues technical adviser and NPC work as Auckland's high performance coach.

When the Blues board meet early next month and then review the season with the NZRFU, they must assess whether Nucifora and assistant coach Joe Schmidt merit automatic retention.

With Sloane's time up, logic suggests Nucifora will be promoted leaving a vacancy for a technical adviser.

"There is nothing written or promised in that [coach] department," Nucifora said yesterday.

"I'm happy to do whatever pans out. Everyone goes through a review and then we'll see what happens."

Blues chief executive David White had sounded out Warren Gatland some time ago about his plans to coach in New Zealand when he finished with the Wasps in England.

Gatland indicated he wanted to work in the upper North Island and with no Auckland vacancies, he chose to link up with Waikato and to assist the Chiefs.

Candidates like Allan Pollock and Aussie McLean, who applied for the Blues last year, may have another attempt while another coach in the region, Bryce Woodward, might also be persuaded.

After Friday night's loss to the Waratahs in the final round, the Blues finished seventh equal in the final Super 12 series. Their six win/five loss record was a modest return and one which should be reflected in the All Blacks.

While Sloane was the overall organiser, Nucifora was in charge of defence and gameplans while Schmidt was responsible for the attacking strategies.

The Blues board and NZRFU officials will have to evaluate how much influence the assistants had and what they achieved.

Nucifora's defensive systems seemed to work with the Blues conceding 26 tries but there had to be questions about the attacking ploys arranged by Schmidt which delivered only 29 tries.

There will be many excuses given such as the high casualty rate, especially at halfback and first five-eighths. However, that ignores similar dramas for most teams and the resources of three first division sides to call on.

Basic errors hurt the Blues and their refusal to attempt goals in some games was a mystery even to themselves. Discipline cost them too, with five players suspended and their placing will affect some fringe All Black candidates.

Steve Devine, Luke McAlister and Xavier Rush may be invited to the national trial because of others' unavailability. But it is difficult to see all of Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock making the All Black squad.

Most in danger may be Rokocoko. His patchy work this season, and apparent inability to lift his game, suggests he may forfeit his place to his cousin Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Sloane's record

30 wins
15 losses
1 draw