Lam backtracks on judicial system
Under-fire Blues coach Pat Lam has been forced to backtrack on earlier claims about the unfairness of the judicial system.
Blues coach Pat Lam well and truly spat the dummy over what he regarded as inconsistencies by Super Rugby citing commissioners.
Lam's outburst came after flank Luke Braid was banned for three weeks, after he punched Stormers replacement Nizaam Carr in the 17-27 loss at Newlands in Week Four.
It was the Blues' third defeat in four outings - following the 18-19 reversal to the Crusaders, a 14-29 defeat to the Chiefs and a 29-23 win over the Bulls.
And there was further heartbreak for the Auckland-based franchise when Hurricanes centre Conrad Smith scored a try as the full-time siren sounded to clinch a 26-25 victory for his side at Eden Park last week
While Blues Chief Executive Andy Dalton has said that Lam still has his full backing, the coach was forced to apologise for his outburst.
Lam said in a statement that he shouldn't have made the comments.
"I wish to formally acknowledge it was not appropriate for me to make comments criticising the performance of the citing commissioner," Lam said.
"Citing commissioners are not in a position to enter into a public debate around the merits of their decisions, and I accept that to personally criticise any official in that way is inappropriate."
SANZAR had told him he may have breached its code of conduct with his criticism of an official.
However, SANZAR Chief Executive Greg Peters told the NZ Herald that after some consideration, they had chosen not to take the matter any further.
"We have decided not to refer it to the judicial officer for a breach of conduct hearing, given Lam's willingness to make both a public and private apology about the matter.
"But this should serve as a reminder to everyone that comments will be treated very seriously and there needs to be a threshold.
"This is about calling into question the integrity of people in the game. It is okay to say something like a decision was tough but to go to the next stage ... brings problems."
Peters said franchise officials were reminded each year about their obligations to the tournament and competition regulations.
Reds wing Digby Ioane and Sharks fullback Stefan Terblanche were last year fined when they faced similar charges for messages on Twitter.
Meanwhile the Blues boos, Dalton, said Lam still has his full backing, despite openly admitting that the franchise was not sitting in the position they should be in.
Outside of that Bulls scalp there have been four losses, two at home, and two heavy reverses to legitimate contenders in the Chiefs and Stormers.
Dalton has previously stood by Lam, and said that despite initial results, the 2012 Super Rugby season had a long way to go, effectively trusting the Lam and the Blues will come right as the season continues.
Speaking to the NZ Herald, Dalton did admit his concerns, in his second public speech so far this year - his first coming after the Blues lost to the Chiefs 29-14.
"In reality, notwithstanding the position we are in, this is round five of the competition in March and this goes through until August," he said.
"There is a lot of rugby to go. It is early days."
"[But] it is very frustrating.”
The Blues will take a bye this week before heading to Melbourne for a match that has ‘must win’ written all over it, while the three-time champions then look forward to six home games in their final 10 fixtures.
Dalton said they just had to deal with the cards they had been dealt.
"It is what it is and we need to deal with it. We are all hurting and it is heartbreaking to be sitting here at this stage of the season at the bottom of the table given the promise that we had early in the season. We know we have to do better," Dalton said.
"Notwithstanding that, we are accepting that we are well below the pace of what we should be.”