New boss: Pat Lam
Former Samoa coach Pat Lam is expected to be named as the new Connacht coach, replacing Eric Elwood on a three-year deal.
Lam was sacked by the Blues after a dismal Super Rugby campaign in 2012, but will link up with the Irish province after Clermont coach Alex King reportedly turned down the role according to Sports News Ireland.
Lam spent four years as head coach with the Blues after joining from club side Auckland.
More recently, Lam was part of the coaching staff that led Samoa to victories over Wales and Canada and a narrow defeat to France during the November Internationals.
Elwood will conclude a 24-year association with Connacht at the end of this season, after turning out 168 times as a player for the province and taking over the head coaching role from Michael Bradley in 2010.
Comments
hellovanite says...
Wow... I wouldn't employ this bloke to coach my local high school rugby team. Ok, I exaggerate but really Connacht, Pat Lam? Maybe I'll be proved wrong but he will need to grow a pair before my view changes. As I understand it he is way to soft would rather have independent counseling sessions with plays to get them to do what he wants than say what he needs to their face. Not a confrontational type that will need to front up to players. They don't have to be your best friends Pat, but they do need to respect you.
Posted 03:11 12th January 2013
kennyisgay says...
New Zealand... I mean Ireland will soon have another HC champion club
Posted 23:27 11th January 2013
jonesrp says...
Ho Ho..
Posted 21:32 11th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Eric Elwood then Pat Lam. Is the owner a fan of The blues brothers?
Posted 13:29 11th January 2013
makemehappy says...
I hope Lam knows that they approached Holley first. Let's be honest, he was bloody useless, so this says little about Lam!
Posted 13:07 11th January 2013
Billybob says...
serious fall from grace by Lam, from the Blues to Connacht. I'm not sure about this one. I'd have rather seen a coach on the rise going to them, rather than someone on the way down. Although he could be a good signing as he was unlucky with players performing badly at the Blues. So this could be a really amazing signing for Connacht. All they need now is a better stadium and some players to show some loyalty to them and they'll do really well. If only Sean Cronin never left
Posted 12:25 11th January 2013
BiggyFint says...
The same Pat Lam that was fired by the Blues. I'm not sure about this one. It'll be impossible to replace Elwoods passion but hopefully Lam can bring something new to the table and help bring on the young players. On paper Eddie O Sullivan at least deserved an interview. I hope Lam retains the coaching team thats in place.
Posted 11:37 11th January 2013