Otago rugby coach Steve Martin has confirmed he will reapply for his job.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said yesterday the board's decision to advertise both Martin's and assistant Bruce Carvell's positions reflected the fact the coaches' contracts were coming to an end but was, in part, due to disappointing results in 2008.
Martin's three-year contract ended this season.
Otago failed to make the quarterfinals, winning just four games out of 10 and finishing 10th in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Martin (50) has been coach of the Otago side since 2006, when the side made the semifinals.
It made the quarterfinals in 2007.
Martin said when contacted yesterday the coaching selection process had to be worked through and that involved advertising the job.
He intended to apply for the job.
He declined further comment.
Carvell could not be contacted yesterday.
Reid said since the two coaches were a team, both positions would be advertised.
He said there had been plenty of speculation about the positions, but the board had simply waited for the debriefing of the season, and then made the decision to advertise the positions.
"It is always worth seeing what is around. There are plenty of coaching positions around at the moment, so it will be interesting to see what is out there," Reid said.
He hoped to have the positions filled within a month.
He declined to indicate how much weight was put on the run of poor results in the decision to advertise the job.
The positions would only be advertised for next year, because of the uncertainty about the future of the Air New Zealand Cup.
The Super 14 looks set to change shape in 2010, and the Air New Zealand Cup may become a feeder competition or a development competition, with a different playing window.
Martin said last week he wanted the coaching job next year as he believed he had coaching skills and passion for it, and had developed players who would serve the province in the future.
