Coaches

04 Nov 2010

  • Pat Lam - Head Coach

    Blues Coaching Debut: 2009
    Other Coaching Roles: Auckland head coach 2004-2008, Pacific Islanders head coach 2006, Scotland assistant coach 2003
    Pat Lam became the first coach since Graham Henry to be appointed to the Blues directly from coaching Auckland when he took the reins of the franchise in 2009. Lam racked up 60 games as head coach of the Auckland side between 2004 and 2008, winning the NPC in his second year in charge and leading Auckland to an undefeated season in 2007 to claim both the Ranfurly Shield and Air New Zealand Cup. Lam retired from playing in 2002 after a stellar career which included representing Manu Samoa at three World Cups.

  • Bryce Woodward - Assistant coach

    Blues Coaching Debut: 2011
    Other Coaching Roles: Northland head coach 1999-2002, 2009-2010, New Zealand Under 21 coach 2002-2005, New Zealand Barbarians coach 2010, Blues Development Coach 2010

    Bryce Woodward will make his Super Rugby coaching debut when he joins Pat Lam and Liam Barry as assistant coach of the Blues in 2011.

    Boasting a wide range of responsibilities in first class and New Zealand age group teams, Bryce specialises in back play, kicking strategy techniques and skill and tactical development.

    Bryce coached Northland from 1999 to 2002 and returned to the province last year.  He also coached the New Zealand Under 21 side from 2002 to 2005, coming away with World Championship titles in 2003 and 2004.

    This year he coached the New Zealand Barbarians side against the New Zealand Maori in the opening match of the New Zealand Maori Centenary Series, and also coached the Blues Development Squad.

  • Liam Barry - Assistant coach

    Blues Coaching Debut: 2010
    Other Coaching Roles: Blues skills coach 2006-2009, Hawke’s Bay Technical Advisor 2004-2005

    On board as a skills coach with the Blues since 2006, Liam Barry was promoted to assistant coach for the 2010 season, and his wealth of experience at Super 14 level has made him an invaluable addition to the Blues coaching trio.

    Liam Barry has a special place among the long parade of All Blacks for when he was chosen as a 22-year-old for the tour of Scotland and England in 1993, he followed his father Kevin and his grandfather Ned in wearing the silver fern. That became the first instance of a family providing three generations of All Blacks.

  • Mike Casey - Scrum Coach