Blues rugby Head Coach David Nucifora. Photo / Kenny Rodger.
David Nucifora will stay on to coach the Blues for next season's Super 14 even if he gets the vacant Wallaby rugby position.
Nucifora, an Australian, has his hat in the ring to replace John Connolly as Australian coach.
But he confirmed today that he was also committed
to the Blues until the end of the next Super 14 campaign, his third in charge of the Auckland-based franchise.
Nucifora said both the Blues and the New Zealand Rugby Union were aware of his interest in coaching the Wallabies and there were no issues with that.
He also said Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill had stated that he would be happy for the successful candidate, if a Super 14 coach, to complete his duties until the end of the next competition.
"That's my commitment as well, if that did happen," Nucifora said.
"There's a lot of what ifs, but the focus is certainly with the Blues."
The list of candidates for the Australian job includes Wallaby assistants John Muggleton and Scott Johnson, and two other Super 14 coaches in Ewen McKenzie (Waratahs) and Laurie Fisher (Brumbies).
South Africa's World Cup winner Jake White is also reported to be possibly in the frame.
However, Crusader coach Robbie Deans today appeared to distance himself from contention, saying his priority was to coach the All Blacks if that position came up.
The ARU is due to hold formal interviews on November 9. The board is expected to meet on November 16 to discuss the applications and to make a decision by the end of next month.
- NZPA
