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Mike Blair explains shock decision to leave Edinburgh

By PA

Mike Blair has set his sights on being a “world-class attack coach” following his surprise decision to call time on his role as Edinburgh head coach.

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The former Scotland captain has opted not to renew his contract at the end of the season.

Blair has been a major success in his spell in charge, reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs and getting the better of Glasgow last season as well as making the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

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This season Edinburgh sit just four points off the BKT URC play-off zone and have a Champions Cup last-16 tie at Leicester to look forward to.

But Blair said: “My greatest passion is coaching – developing individuals, groups and the team – to allow them to get the most out of themselves.

“As a head coach it is very difficult to do this justice because of everything else that comes with the role. For my next role I want to put my energy and knowledge into being a world class attack coach.

“My time as head coach has been a brilliant experience, working with outstanding players, coaches and management.

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“It is also an all-consuming job, which I have given everything to since being appointed and I’ve learnt a lot about myself and the game during this period.

“This will be invaluable going forward as I look to continue my development, whilst not ruling out a return to a head coach role in the future.

“Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby have been incredibly supportive and patient with me while I came to this decision, which I am very grateful for.

“It has been humbling to lead my home club, so it was an incredibly difficult decision to make.

“I know this decision may come as surprise to some people, but I truly believe focusing on my passion will allow me to get the best out of myself and the players I coach.”

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Managing director Douglas Struth thanked Blair for his contribution.

“He’s a club legend and has played a big part in creating many memorable moments for the club, with a lot still to play for in the current campaign,” Struth added.

“I’d also like to commend him for what is a proactive, positive and brave decision, which is in keeping with how he has operated in the past season and a half with the club.

“During this time we have made notable progress under his leadership – driving standards and our style of play in our new home.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
Where is the new breed of All Black 10?

Maybe Covid-19 did us some favours after all

NZR and Australia had a great opportunity to dump Super Rugby and reset with a more sustainable future, but unfortunately they only had eyes on getting back to playing asap, ditto the South Africans with their departure for the immediate salvation in URC. How ironic, to try to continue it on only to have it ripped up, with your squandered chance at something new gone.

You might look at the guys that have shown a lot of loyalty to us [like Richie]

No, that’s a bad edit. Why does it need to be a lot of loyalty though? If Richie had of won a RWC for New Zealand surely that would make up for a lack of loyalty in this regard? Of course Mo’unga had said goodbye long before that but Beauden Barrett had also, and he got offered a sabbatical deal to return despite no longer technically being on NZRs books. I guess the elephant here is that Richie accepted a 3 year deal, but that’s what the JRLO teams want, not 1 year, not even 2 years. Why does it have to be about his All Black status that determines loyalty as well? Why can’t any NZ player be given a sabbatical after 8 full SR seasons, and still be able to hold onto that dream if they find themselves flourishing in an overseas environment?

The All Blacks’ brand has to be seen to be ultimate sporting success story to attract and sustain sponsorship, which spools the debate all the way back to selection policy and Razor’s ability to pick players plying their trade abroad.

We’ll see if you understand your oxymoron here. No, no other side of the coin presented, not even a cursory to those you know who’ll post lol The reason the brand has been such a success is put solely down to the selection policy, how are you going to change the opinion on that? I don’t think it’s possible, I can see change when they give up trying. Thankfully that looks a long way off and a return to number one immanent for this ‘last hope’ of a rugby stronghold.

Jacomb was on the field for the first 51 minutes, D-Mac played the full 80. During the time with Jacomb at 10 and McKenzie at 15, the Chiefs were losing 6-14.

What were the stats then though? That’s what I’d like to know.

Mo’unga may be on sabbatical in Japan, but absence has if anything increased his importance to New Zealand rugby

Unfortunately JRLO made some changes to their content protection this year, unsure why, so no, his absences has unfortunately morphed into obscurity. Thankfully Rugby Pass TV has come to the table and given one game a week to NZ viewers if anyone is interested (myself it kinda came too late in the piece).


Please to see Jacomb get through his third start with such aplomb. Another tight game this week so perhaps another tight performance needed by him again. The Chiefs have lost their second starting fullback so Dmac might be asked to continue in the position for a while yet.

6 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
Super Rugby rolls back the years but challenges lie ahead

There is no appetite – either in New Zealand and Australia or Japan – to recreate a separate team like the Sunwolves to sit as a sole representative in Super Rugby.

If theres no appetite, why are you suggesting it?


Any JRLO involvement is a long way off were SR looses its place, and is only a equivalent of the Champions Cup. Which if happened, would still be a general overall win.


Any inclusion of the Jaguares would also require a recalibration of that tournament. Argentina would not be able to field a strong team by themselves (without changing Los Pumas eligibility again, which we don’t want them to do), it needs the full support of Super Rugby Americas, a competition which runs from Feb to Jun as well. I suppose it really depends how many stars UAR could bring back home, Jaquares have been brought back, so maybe they do have an aim, but would they accept hosting their games out of Santiago (just an hr further than Tokyo)?


One thing I could see change is SRP moving to finish in Oct.


Edit: The Sunwolves brand is pretty much Brave Lupus now I’d imagine so this team would need a new name, and I still see Tokyo as being the best place economically to place a new team, but would SRA and MLR get together to share a team their if they don’t have the players to do it individually? It just seems a waste of brand expenditure just for these unions to dip their foot into SR. Perhaps it’s a Hawaiian team?

3 Go to comments
S
Stacy K Davis 4 hours ago
Crusaders prepare for 'dangerous in all elements' Chiefs game-breaker

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