Blues to advertise for next year's coach

The Blues are set to advertise for next year's Super Rugby coach.

Embattled coach Pat Lam may have to reapply for his job after leading the side to just one win from 10 matches.

It's understood the head coaching role will be advertised in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile Hurricanes CEO James Te Puni has ruled out extending coach Mark Hammett's contract before the end of the Super Rugby season.

Hammett's in the final year of a two year deal, but despite an encouraging 2012 Te Puni says they won't rush into anything.

"Same as last year, they'll enter a review process that's run out of NZRU, as Hurricanes CEO I'll be part of that as will a board representative so we'll go through that at the right time but the right time isn't in the middle of the season."

And the Hurricanes will reward those who have stuck by the jersey before contemplating a reunion with All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu.

Weepu's been linked with a possible return to the capital next year after a year to forget with the dismal Blues.

But Hurricanes CEO James Te Puni says Weepu is definitely not a priority.

"You'll know if we're interested in someone because we'll announce that they're a Hurricane. Fair to say that there's a fair chunk of guys within the existing team who've really stepped up this year, they're pretty high on the priority list for me."

Te Puni says they want to back the guys who have been doing the job on the pitch and that's the current squad.

Photo: Pat Lam (Photosport)