It was the decision the under-performing Super 14 franchise had to make, and make it they have, Pat Lam today named as new coach of the Blues for a three-year term.

The successful Auckland provincial coach was desperate to finally take the step up to Super 14 level, and the Blues were the obvious fit for the Aucklander and former All Black loose forward.

Given that highy-rated Aussie David Nucifora this year ended his involvement with the Blues without a title to add to the 2003 success under Peter Sloane, it was imperative that the Auckland-based franchise look to a "local" to take the reins.

Quite simply, a string of outsiders have failed to get the job done at the Blues where the results (2003 excepted) have never matched the talent levels since the spectacular beginning to the new competition back in 1996-97.

Men like Frank Oliver, Gordon Hunter, Jed Rowlands and, finally Nucifora, were all tried - and none managed to crack the code of transferring the abilities of the players in the region into consistent performances on the track.

Nucifora perhaps went closest when he got the Blues back into the semifinals in 2007, only to see them miss the post-season after a disappointing 2008 campaign.

In fact, the only successful coaches have been men with regional affiliations, Graham Henry guiding the Blues to their 1996-97 successes and former Northlander Sloane (with Henry as a technical adviser) presiding over the 2003 triumph.

There is hope that Lam, who has been able to push the right buttons with Auckland at the Air NZ Cup level, is well equipped to handle that challenge. He certainly seems to get the best out of his players at the provincial level.

The 39-year-old has coached the Auckland provincial side since 2004 with his unbeaten Aucklanders last year achieving a rare treble of winning the Air New Zealand Cup, securing the Ranfurly Shield and going through the season unbeaten.

Lam said he felt he was ready for the next challenge in his coaching career.

"I'm very proud of the achievements of the Auckland team and have relished my role as coach for the last four years," he said.

"However, I have aspired to coach a team in the Super 14, ideally the Blues. That opportunity has arrived and I'm delighted."

Lam's four-year tenure with Auckland has included two titles plus one playoff spot. Prior to that he was assistant coach of Scotland for the 2003 World Cup and he has also guided the Pacific Islanders composite team on a tour to the UK.

As a player Lam represented Auckland, North Harbour, Manu Samoa and the All Blacks as a hard-working loose-forward before going on to forge a successful career in the English premiership with Newcastle.

"He brings a wide range of experience plus an affinity with his franchise area," said NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorensen.

That "affinity" will be the quality that Blues fans will be banking on most.

Blues boss Andy Dalton is confident the franchise has found the right man for the job.

"Pat is an excellent coach with a very good understanding of New Zealand rugby and the way the professional environment works," he said.

The Blues assistant coach position as well as the Air New Zealand Cup head coach role will be advertised this week.

Given the timing of Lam's appointment so close to the start of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup, it has been agreed that Lam will hand over the Auckland coaching duties by the end of August.