Hammett singing the Blues all the way home
MARK Hammett is set to step down as Cardiff Blues coach.
Welsh media reported Hammett’s departure will be confirmed this week.
Just six months into his three-year tenure, Hammett is expected to cite family reasons, with his wife finding it difficult to settle in Wales and his New Zealand-based mother said to be ill.
Player power, panic from administrators and personal reasons were speculated as contributing factors in Hammett’s sudden exit.
Pressure has mounted on Hammett with the Blues winning just four of 15 matches in the Guinness Pro12, including a 40-24 defeat at the hands of Italian side Treviso yesterday. The Blues languish in ninth place and are seemingly out of the race to qualify for the top tier of Europe competition next season.
Hammett, who also endured criticism with the Hurricanes from 2011-14, incurred the wrath of the Blues board and supporters for refusing to change his policy of treating the Pro12 as a development competition.
Crisis talks are said to have taken place last week with Hammett’s methods under question for much of his tenure.
A high-powered player delegation, led by Blues captain Matthew Rees, voiced its concern at the former All Blacks hooker’s punishing training regime early in his reign.
‘‘For whatever reasons it hasn’t gelled this year,’’ former Welsh captain Martyn Williams told BBC television. ‘‘There have been huge expectations; myself and other pundits said they would be the leading region but they haven’t fired. If there are personal issues there, that’s got to be first and foremost.’’
Blues assistants – former Welsh internationals Dale McIntosh and Paul John – are likely to take over as caretaker coaches.