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Vern Cotter opens up on the legacy of his Blues tenure
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The Blues’ 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and Vern Cotter’s tenure as coach, concluded on Saturday night, going down by 36 points to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Cotter’s Blues fought hard in the first half of the semi-final, and despite trailing by five points at halftime, the Auckland-based franchise believed they were in the contest.
A second-half flurry of tries by the in-form Hurricanes took the game without reach, ending the Blues careers of a number of players and coaches at the club.
Loose-forward duo Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu will both depart, while AJ Lam will join Harry Plummer at Clermont in the French Top 14.
Cotter, who has signed with the Queensland Reds from the start of next season, will leave the Blues having won one Super Rugby Pacific title in 2024, and reaching two semi-finals in 2025 and 2026.
Speaking to media in Wellington after the semi-final defeat, Cotter reflected on his time at the Blues.
“I don’t have much time to say it, but I loved it. I loved working with these boys. I loved every moment. I was born in Auckland, so it was nice to be able to coach a team that you’re born in,” Cotter said.
“So, it’s a real attachment right from the start, and really attached with these boys. Won a title, two semi finals, so we feel that you know we’ve been there and competed it.
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“Tonight, obviously a little bit disappointing, but yeah, no, I really, really enjoyed my time.”
Although the 64-year-old is moving onto another Super Rugby Pacific club, Cotter is confident in the young playing group that he has developed at the Blues.
‘It’ll go again. I mean, a new coach next year, he’ll bring in some new ideas, develop the game with the players he has and the players he’ll bring in.
“It’ll be good, it’s a proud Club, and the players are very proud of the jersey and what they wear. And these last few weeks, probably they’ve hurt quite a bit, and I think they’ll take that through.
“And I remember when I took over three years ago, the semi finals were lost against the Crusaders, and we used that as motivation beginning the season. I think these boys will pick that up, and they’ll start preseason with a real edge to it.”
Blues captain and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu admits that his head coach will be thoroughly missed, especially his small bits of wisdom he gives to the players.
“From where I’ve been in this club, and where we are now, it’s very positive, and obviously enjoyed and relished my time under VC, he’s certainly going to be missed.
“His certain edge that he brings around his coaching that he brings to our team, and I certainly will miss that.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I know I’m going to miss a little bit of gold around the place, you know. So it’s hard, we’ve had some good times together in terms of the success.”
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