KEY POINTS:
Blues coach David Nucifora and Ali Williams have had a clear-the-air meeting about issues that caused the lock to be sent home from South Africa but the content of the discussion remains off limits.
"To me and Ali and the group it is over," Nucifora said yesterday. "We
had a good discussion and Ali is still very much a part of the team and part of the process which is going on at the moment and we just move on."
Nucifora said the discussion with the lock had been constructive and would form part of the season review. He had not questioned Williams about his future allegiance nor did he know where he (Nucifora) would be employed next season.
"I did not ask him because it is not an issue for discussion now but, once we get through the review process, I am sure it will be discussed via his management," the coach said.
Senior players like Troy Flavell, Doug Howlett, Isa Nacewa and the revitalised Isaia Toeava had been an impressive core of the side but Nucifora made special mention of the efforts of Daniel Braid, Greg Rawlinson and Rudi Wulf and hoped they would be rewarded today with selection in the Junior All Blacks at least.
The coach also offered unreserved praise for Joe Rokocoko who put aside any personal disappointment at missing selection after rejoining the squad and gave his all for the Blues.
Nucifora skirted around the reconditioning topic although he admitted it brought challenges and had a significant impact on the team dynamics.
It had been unrealistic to expect those All Blacks returned to the Blues - Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Williams and Rokocoko - to be up to speed straight away.
"Only those who don't understand the game or the intensity of this competition would be naive enough to think those players, regardless of how good footballers they are, can come back in at round eight and perform at their peak.
"For the players to have faith in the coaches, you have to pick people on form and, if you don't do that, then the players will start to doubt you. So form is important and having faith and trust as a group is important and we were consistent with that from day one."
The semifinal exit had been a frustrating and disappointing end to the Super 14 but probably a fair indication of the Blues' work this year.
"There's a bit of unfinished business. We have laid the foundations, we have built to a point this year but I would certainly like to see the job right through and finish it with a win," Nucifora said, underlining his wish to be reappointed for a third year.