Former Wellington assistant coach Chris Boyd is the favourite to take the reins at the Lions after current coach Andre Bell's job was advertised today by the Wellington Rugby Football Union.
A two-paragraph media release by the union today stated the position would be advertised following a "comprehensive review of the 2011 season'' by the WRFU board and chief executive James Te Puni. The Lions finished sixth of seven teams in the new ITM Cup Premiership, winning only five of 10 matches.
While Bell, who was appointed to the role for a two-year term in December 2010, is "welcome to submit an application'', the writing appears to be on the wall for the former Otago player.
Leading the race to succeed Bell is Boyd, who was assistant Wellington coach under John Plumtree from 2003-06 and also assisted him at the Sharks in the Super 15. He recently assisted Mark Anscombe with the New Zealand Under-20 team which won the World Championships in Italy this year and has a role in the current Rugby World Cup as Tonga's skills and defensive coach.
Bell, the former Lions' assistant coach, took over after Jamie Joseph secured the Highlanders' job.
Boyd's main rival for the Lions' role appears to be current assistant Richard Watt.
