ARU target Blues coach

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) CEO John O'Neill says they are keen to entice Blues coach David Nucifora back to Australia.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) CEO John O'Neill says they are keen to entice Blues coach David Nucifora back to Australia.

Nucifora was the leading candidate to replace John Connolly as Wallabies coach, before Robbie Deans' belated job application last December.

Nucifora is on contract with the Blues until the end of the 2009 Super 14.

He crossed the Tasman after coaching the Brumbies to the 2004 Super 12.

Last year he guided the Blues to the Super 14 semifinals.

O'Neill said he hoped Nucifora would return to Australia at the end of his stint and coach at elite level in his home country.

“David interviewed extremely well for the coach's job that ultimately went to Robbie,” O'Neill said on nz.sports.yahoo.com.

“We'd love to see him back coaching in Australia at a head coach level.

“You could say why not as an assistant coach? When we looked at compatibility with and complementing Robbie, David is more of a head coach.

“If there is an opportunity for him to coach at Super 14 level in Australia, we would applaud that.

“Also, we are going to be discussing with David some other potential roles at the elite end. Perhaps the Australia A team and some other responsibilities.”

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie as well as his Brumbies counterpart, Laurie Fisher are under pressure to deliver the goods this year for their respective teams.

A poor showing by either of these teams could see Nucifora replacing either McKenzie or Fisher.

The Australian reported McKenzie has been put on notice to finish in the top four this season or else. Fisher, who hasn't been able to get the Brumbies to the semis, is off contract at the end of the season.