Lam wants Blues job

Ready for the big time: Pat Lam

Auckland coach Pat Lam is the first candidate to throw his name into the hat for the soon to be vacated coaching position at the Blues.

After three years at the helm of the Blues, David Nucifora has announced he is moving back to Australia at the end of the current season, due to family reasons.

Lam has said he will be applying for the job as soon as it's advertised, feeling that he is ready to step up to Super 14 level.

Last year Lam's team won the Air New Zealand Cup and Ranfurly Shield, a feat no other side has accomplished in the professional era, which Lam believes is proof enough of his credentials.

He says he feels he is ready to go to the next level as he has already coached at international level with Ian McGeechan at Scotland.

Lam says as a born and bred Aucklander, the Blues job is his perfect Super 14 role.

During his playing career as a lose forward for Auckland, North Harbour and the Crusaders, Lam briefly represented the All Blacks but is better known for having captained Manu Samoa.