Lam: We need more time

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Pat Lam says the never-ending run of injuries the Blues suffered during 2009 impacted on just what the franchise's new coaching team could achieve.

The Blues finished the Rebel Sport Super 14 in ninth spot on the points table, losing on average eight players a week to injury during the round-robin.

A concerted talent-spotting campaign will now take place from the start of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, with Blues management giving the coaches the all-clear to be active in a recruitment drive to try and provide a change of fortunes next season.

The squad will be boosted by the return of All Black hopeful Luke McAlister, with Daniel Bowden also set to be on board after two seasons with the Highlanders.

Lam said given the raft of defections throughout the Super 14 he and his fellow coaches had been restricted in what they could achieve.

"Obviously it has been difficult," Lam said.

"You go in there, pick your 28 and there are so many unavailabilities so you don't start with the team (you want).

"The other thing it affects is the flow-on, the confidence of the team and combinations.

"Then you have guys coming back, particularly guys who are experienced, naturally if they are out for three, four or five weeks it takes them one or two weeks to get into it.

"While they might come into it in round six, they are not necessarily at their best. That has been the issue.

"We have had some experienced guys we have missed. And when they have come back they haven't played for four or five weeks."

Much was expected of the Blues in 2009.

But injuries, the fact some of their leading players failed to consistently deliver and the side's inexperience provided another forgettable season for the side.

Lam described the injury situation as a "freak" scenario, adding: "I have never been involved or seen an injury crisis like that.

"We did the stats right from the first game against the Force, when we had seven players unavailable there.

"Right through, the best we had five players unavailable. But the average was seven or eight.

"And in the last two weeks it has been 10 guys unavailable from the 28.

"Wider training group guys have been involved in every single game, which is unusual again."

The injury problem was magnified in that it rubbed out all but one of the Blues' initial loose forwards by season's end.

All Black locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric were also sidelined with Super 14-ending injuries, while injuries restricted the number of times the Blues' test-capped front row were able to start as a unit.

"The biggest one has been the hit on experience," Lam said.

"Normally you might have one in different positions.

"But when you have four loose forwards go out, two All Black locks, the front-rowers or the two wingers, it makes it hard.

"It makes it a lot easier if you are going to have injuries to have one in each position. That would be better.

"But that is what you have got given, the challenge. You just carry on and bring the next (players) through.

"There have been 10 guys who have played Super 14 for the first time and they will be better for that.

"But it certainly has an affect when you are under pressure, when you have to make decisions under pressure. That is when experience counts."