Kirwan replaces Lam at Blues’ helm
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Former All Blacks winger Sir John Kirwan says he’s “a proud Blues man” and is looking forward to turning around the Super Rugby franchise’s fortunes after signing a two-year contract as head coach on Tuesday.
Kirwan, who scored 35 tries in 63 Tests for the All Blacks since his 1984 debut as a 19-year-old, replaces incumbent Pat Lam.
After four years at the helm, Lam has been ousted after presiding over a horror Blues season where they managed just four wins from 16 games.
Their best finish under Lam’s guidance has been fourth place last year. They finished seventh in 2010, and ninth the previous year.
Kirwan played 142 games for Auckland before embarking on an international coaching career in Italy and more recently, Japan. He also had a brief stint with the Blues franchise in 2001 as assistant coach, and says it’s an exciting time to be returning.
“I’m a proud Blues man and I started my rugby career in the region so I’m really excited about connecting with fans and working with the Blues community.
“There’s certainly some hard work ahead and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Blues chairman and former All Blacks teammate Gary Whetton acknowledges the franchise has struggled this season, but says Kirwan is the man to turn the team around.
“The challenge is clearly laid down for John and we look forward to seeing positive results,” he said.
Whetton also paid tribute to Lam, who began his career at the Blues after having coached Auckland from 2004 to 2008, including an undefeated season in 2007.
“We know this is a difficult time for Pat, who has been a long and loyal servant to Auckland Rugby and the Blues, and we thank him for all he has given to both.”
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July 18th 2012 @ 6:05am
Jeff said | July 18th 2012 @ 6:05am | Report comment
John Kirwan starts with the Blues today.I hope he hits the ground running and starts the necessary purge of players that is necessary to return the franchise to winning ways.
John should revert to his old trade of butcher and carve out three cancers from the squad.
They are Nonu who was dropped by Hammet from the Hurricanes because of his disruptions.Weepu who dosn’t seem to have learned that professional sportsmen have to present themselves in a fit condition at the start of every season.And Ali Williams who has well passed his used by date and also has been a very disruptive influence.Akk three also have no real future in the game after the next season if for that long.
If Kirwan drops them it will be interesting to know which franchises would pick them up.
In the case of Weepu no NZ franchise seem to need another halfback and the Chiefs,Crusaders,Highlanders and Hurricanes all have halfbacks that most would rate ahead of him.Perhaps one of our franchises could use an unfit halfback.To be blunt he couldn’t be worse than what we have had to put up with at the Waratahs this season !!!
A good coach should know when to take the hard decisions and drop players even if they have been one of the greats.In 1994 Laurie Mains dropped Kirwan from the ABs and Kirwan remarked that Laurie has lost the plot.Mains went on to produce one of the great All Black teams and Kirwan joined the Warriors Rugby League team for two less than stellar seasons.
So look very hard at your squad selections for next year John.
July 18th 2012 @ 6:27am
mania said | July 18th 2012 @ 6:27am | Report comment
harsh jeff- i’d have nonu and piri (and andrewHore) back in the canes at the drop of a hat if they could learn to do what they’re told when hammer tells them
funny how the demise of the blues is placed on nonu and piri’s shoulders when they only got there this season and performed for the entire season. piri may have been a fatty but he was still better than mathewson. nonu played awesome and despite his team mates he was hitting the line and putting in big tackles every game. the fault here cant be placed on these 2.
aliWilliams didnt have a stellar season either but he’s steady and reliable in the set pieces. i’m not saying he’s AB’s material but he’s safe.
the immediate problem with the blues was that the reserves absolutely sukd. 16 injuries and the 2nd tier are just not up to this level of rugby. they lacked brains and balls. the front row when keven, woodcock and charlie werent playing were abysmal. having 2 braids doing the same role (just luke does it slower) is a mistake because they didnt have a decent tight5 doing the cleanouts, meaning the braids where doing it instead of trying to turnover ball.
alot was wrong with the blues but to blame piri and nonu is overly simplistic and wrong.
July 18th 2012 @ 4:04pm
MELB NSW 4 lyfe said | July 18th 2012 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
I agree that to blame Piri and Ma’a primarily for the blues issues this year is pretty stink! dubious selections, lack of form across the board from expereinced players at key times in the campaign and the lack of key foundational rugby tactics by the management and front office would be better to start with. I hope JK brings back that good ole Auckland/Blues spirit with confidence built on the back of harworking front row, good lineout delivery, a 6,7 and 8 with great breakdown skills and not just 3 average “gap filling” players playing waaaaaay under their skill level and a cocky backline who actually have some game plan ala Blues of Carlos Spencer and Co…confidence boardering on arrogance. We have a bunch of players who seem to think that simply pulling on the Blues jersey instantly makes you a “gun” and forgets the hardwork needed to continue to develop skills. We had the pontential this year we just couldnt put it together because players would get rocked and either forget the gameplan or there was none to note in the first place. No urgency on the field is reflective of whats happening off the field
July 18th 2012 @ 11:42am
moaman said | July 18th 2012 @ 11:42am | Report comment
Strewth Jeff,you are a hard man. I wonder if Kirwan is really the right man for the job anyway;Has he got the credentials?
There is a lot more trouble running beneath the surface at the Blues than a little trouble with 2-3 players and their discipline.And it appears to have been simmering a while.The way the Blues capitulated in last year’s Semi was very disappointing and seemed odd given the personnel involved (on the park).
July 18th 2012 @ 11:45am
mania said | July 18th 2012 @ 11:45am | Report comment
mm – that semi’s was when i first noted the crax in the facade that is the blues. was very odd considering the quality of big time players
July 19th 2012 @ 6:11am
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 6:11am | Report comment
Kirwan’s been coaching professionally for 10 years, albeit outside of NZ, and has coached 2 test sides. I think he’s got the credentials.
July 19th 2012 @ 9:53am
Ryan said | July 19th 2012 @ 9:53am | Report comment
A very good source of mine within the NZ rugby media told me that a lot of disharmony in the Blues group came down to a great influence on religion. A core group of players took exception to having prayers forced upon them.
July 19th 2012 @ 2:58pm
AndyS said | July 19th 2012 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Yeah, that could do it right enough!
July 18th 2012 @ 1:06pm
Kuruki said | July 18th 2012 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
I agree with Jeff. Nonu and Weepu have not come close to playing to their potential. Nonu was outstanding for the All Blacks in the World Cup. He hasn’t come close to that player since. Weepu is unprofessional, there is no excuse for being that overweight when your a pro. I love these dudes but there is noway they have performed close to their best this season.
July 19th 2012 @ 9:54am
Ryan said | July 19th 2012 @ 9:54am | Report comment
But the rest of the Blues squad has in your opinion?
July 19th 2012 @ 2:16pm
Kuruki said | July 19th 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Nope some have but not all of them. And most of those guys are not current All Blacks being paid top dollar either.
July 18th 2012 @ 7:06am
z1000 said | July 18th 2012 @ 7:06am | Report comment
Good luck to JK.
July 18th 2012 @ 10:00am
stainlesssteve said | July 18th 2012 @ 10:00am | Report comment
correct weight Mania
whose side did you say you were on, Jeff?
Kirwin’s job is to harness Nonu’s and Weepu’s extraordinary talents and bring harmony to the franchise. As for Williams, remember the first time you heard that poem about the old horse, and you got a lump in your throat? Have a bit of respect
July 18th 2012 @ 10:04am
mania said | July 18th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
well said stainlesssteve. respect
July 19th 2012 @ 6:12am
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 6:12am | Report comment
I remember that poem “The Old Horse that made a prize dick of itself during the Haka”.
July 18th 2012 @ 12:04pm
Gary Russell-Sharam said | July 18th 2012 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
Well Mania and Stainlesssteve respect is all very well but I would suggest that you look at where the Blues finished this season and then tell me does respect win rugby matches. Williams is just over the hill, sad but that the nub of it.
We all get old at some time and for Ali it’s his time. Nonu would still be in my team for at least next year I still think he has lots to give however Weepu is a pudgy little block that has a pass that is so slow that I for one would hate to stand outside him and get the ball. He also is quite pedestrian getting around the park. I agree a couple of years ago he was a pretty good player but like Williams his time has come.
Sorry to see pat Lam go he is a quality coach. However it seems from the outside that he was not strong enough to handle these boys. Lam may be a good acquisition for another super rugby franchise, I still think he has something to offer and if I was the Western Forces director of rugby and Cheika turned me down I’d be on the phone to the Lam residence ASAP
The Blues are somewhat like the Waratahs they both have a wealth of talent to choose from but seem to have trouble getting the best from the talent at their disposal. Perhaps they should swap notes on how not to win games.
Here is hoping that Kirwan can get into the players heads and get the best from the Blues next season. Somehow in the back of my mind I have some serious doubts if this will happen. After all he was a winger albeit a great one but!!!!! LOL
The Blues need to look further afield for a half back rather than what they have already Matthewson is good and IMO at present better than Weepu but he is not up to the standard of the new breed of halves around. The blues need a flyhalf and some commitment to gaining a winning culture through some hard work. Here’s hoping that Kirwan can get the job done.
July 18th 2012 @ 12:09pm
mania said | July 18th 2012 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
Gary Russell-Sharam – gotta disagree bout alby vs piri. as slow as piri is he’s still much more inovative than alby, ergo piri starting most of the games
July 18th 2012 @ 1:43pm
pogo said | July 18th 2012 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
The blues have been looking too far afield for too long. They need to look under their noses. There have been too many players brought in from other parts of the country who haven’t been committed and/or haven’t stuck around, e.g. Weepu, Stephen Brett and Nick Evans (good player but just passing through). Maybe if they put in a bit of effort that find some good players at home, the warriors don’t sem to have any trouble unearthing talent from the auckland region.
July 18th 2012 @ 4:13pm
MELB NSW 4 lyfe said | July 18th 2012 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
given these guys come from different areas, but none seem to have brought into the Blues philosophy and or seemed content to try and prove there previous coach wrong..as for the warriors, PLEASE…close but no cigar, them boys will never win a championship till they can sort out key positions and be SOLID in them…no use having the best HB in the comp and the rest of the team are just “above average”
July 19th 2012 @ 5:54am
Pogo said | July 19th 2012 @ 5:54am | Report comment
But you must admit the Warriors have unearthed some impressive talent from the Auckland 1stXVs, I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Konrad Hurrell in the Blues squad.
July 19th 2012 @ 9:58am
Ryan said | July 19th 2012 @ 9:58am | Report comment
And that kid Duffie running around with the Melbourne Storm used to play 1stXVs for St Kents I believe
July 19th 2012 @ 11:13am
MELB NSW 4 lyfe said | July 19th 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
No doubt Pogo, they have the ability to unearth good talent, something the Blues might need to look at but with the warriors even with these types of players they cannot put it together to win a championship, look at the list of players who were great for the warriors but they couldnt put it together only to leave the club the next year and achieve there goal with another team..list is endless, just ask Steve Kearney for starters..
July 19th 2012 @ 11:17am
MELB NSW 4 lyfe said | July 19th 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Blues rugby was founded on the back of a great scrum and a 10 who was smart enough to guide them round the park and had the hounds to finish..if we can solidify the 9 and 10 on the back of quality ball from guys who REALLy want to play then we will go some way to getting back the lustre lost over the last few seasons..we’ve seen in glimpses but heck we are way better than the rubbish they dished up this year
July 18th 2012 @ 4:07pm
Peter Evans said | July 18th 2012 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
I’m not sure why Pat failed at Blues, but he did and its time for the club to move on and clean house.
Kirwan is a brilliant choice. I wished he had gotten the England job. Look what he did with Japan national squad with very limited resources and, lets be fair, not exactly the cream of the crop. Good luck.
July 19th 2012 @ 8:44am
formeropenside said | July 19th 2012 @ 8:44am | Report comment
I remember watching the incredible Auckland teams of the early 90′s; pretty much all of them the current All Blacks – including of course the said Kirwan. Those Qld v Auckland stoushes at Ballymore were fantastic games.
Hopefully Kirwan can bring a bit of that back.
Turning to current issues, I’d probably drop Ali Williams – but thats mainly because he seems a bit of a knob, so I’d probably really challenge him to put in for one more season. Absolutely flog the team – especially Weepu – in the pre-season, and if they break or dont get fit its bye bye time for Williams and Weepu.
Hopefully young Hobbs – who I think played a bit of rugby for University of Qld some years back – will come along as a good inside back. Keep the scrum strong, and all else will follow from that.
July 19th 2012 @ 1:42pm
Fog said | July 19th 2012 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Dear (SIr) John Kirwan, don’t listen to the commenters telling you to sack Nonu and Weepu. Of the coaches they have played for there is only one for whom they haven’t delivered, Mark Hammett. Does that say more about them or Hammet? Trying to get them dropped is clearly an Aussie conspiracy orchestrated by Robbie Deans who once nominated Nonu as the player he most wanted to recruit for the Crusaders. One of the reasons the Wallabies have cycled through so many inside backs in the last five years is Ma’a Nonu. They all look pretty bad playing against him, from Mortlock on down. And, while Will Genia may be a more gifted athlete than Piri the latter has been a much better game manager (often in tandem with Cowan). You only have to look at the semi in the WC last year to see Weepu flourish the greater the pressure (despite a gut upset) and Genia wilt. Their powers will undoubtedly decline and great players will always be replaced but a good motivator will get a bit more out of them yet. As Paul Cully in the SMH noted today poor old Pat McCabe must be wondering what he has done to deserve marking Nonu for the last couple of years, with the latest harsh lesson on Saturday nite. if there is one area where Pat Lam can be clearly faulted this year it was playing both Weepu and Nonu too soon at the start of the season.
July 19th 2012 @ 1:50pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Fog a few facts. To be honest Pat Mcabe has got the better of Ma Nonu in the 4 times they have met. 3-1 Pat Mcabe.
-Auckland twice mace was better in semi last year and in the 1st tri nations, and in Brisbane, . Nonu played well last weekend, but still 3-1 Mcabe.
-Pat Mcabe is 6’1 Nonu 6’0. Nonu acknowledges he does not like playing Mcabe he regards him as a challenge. He says Mcabes defence is uncompromising and very storng, and he acknowledges Mcabes guts and courage factor right up there with the best of them. Nonu is a good defender but Mcabe and Conrad Smith are the 2 best defenders 1 on 1 in world rugby.
-So fog a bit harsh on Mcabe there. And Ma Nonu was acreage in the rugby world cup grand final, Rougarie caused headaches for both Nonu and conrad smith. And SBW has been far more dominant than Nonu this year too.
July 19th 2012 @ 2:21pm
Kuruki said | July 19th 2012 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Johnno your opinion is not “fact”
July 19th 2012 @ 3:14pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:14pm | Report comment
Likewise Kuruki your opinion is not fact. Mcabe has done very well vs Nonu and Nonu admits it.
And on a side not the hurricanes are looking at some imports maybe next year from overseas so maybe the depth is shallow in NZ not a big as it once was.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7305540/Hurricanes-coach-in-no-rush-to-fill-2013-roster
July 19th 2012 @ 3:57pm
Kuruki said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
You said you were giving a few facts which were actually just your opinion, there is a difference.
If you ask any All Black about his opposition he will be complimentary.
The Hurricanes are not ruling out looking overseas, but are targeting the ITM cup. I think if they are going to go overseas they will target an international prop, to compliment the young front row they have.
I would also take a punt on those overseas players actually being expats wishing to return to NZ.
July 19th 2012 @ 4:13pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
“I would also take a punt on those overseas players actually being expats wishing to return to NZ.”
Bearing in mind the article mentions Tim Bateman and Tusi Pisi (Samoan born, but played his rugby in NZ) being recruited from Japan previously, I suspect that’s exactly what Hammett is thinking of.
July 19th 2012 @ 8:30pm
allblackfan said | July 19th 2012 @ 8:30pm | Report comment
There is a RWC 2011 USA EAgles prop (Eric Fry) who will be playing for Manawatu in the ITM and has been playing club rugby in Wellington
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/7291648/US-Eagles-prop-to-fly-with-Turbos
Hammett could well be looking at him
July 19th 2012 @ 3:13pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
Pat McCabe outplayed Ma’a Nonu in the RWC semi-final? The match where Pat McCabe got subbed off after 31 minutes? Must have been a first round knockout on his part, that’s incredible.
Fact – Ma’a Nonu scored 3 tries in 3 matches vs Pat McCabe and Australia last year.
Fact – Pat McCabe has scored 3 tries in his entire test career, none of which were against Ma’a Nonu and New Zealand.
July 19th 2012 @ 3:17pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
How may tries one scores is not a reflection of dominance. Jonah Lomu never scored at try vs the springboks but was still dominant and got the better of the boks.
-Mcabe doesn’t score many tries he didn’t vs south africa in that Q/F at last years world cup but was still dominant in that match.
-Jamie Roberts doesn’t score many tries but is still the no 1I/C in world rugby not Nonu.
July 19th 2012 @ 3:21pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
I’d still quite like to know how McCabe outplayed Nonu in 31 minutes of that semi Johnno. Did he do it by letting Nonu score a try which meant the AB’s were leading 11-6 when he got yanked?
Pat McCabe’s brief is pretty much entirely built on defence. If his opposite number is scoring tries regularly, he’s not really dominating is he?
July 19th 2012 @ 3:41pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
Blame Elsom for letting in the nonu try, . Dagg brushed Elsom off then gave Nonu the open tryline hardly Mcabe’s fault. His game is built on defence but he has shown nice touches with the ball this year and is hard runner.
July 19th 2012 @ 3:46pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
So how great was his defence and touches with the ball in that 31 minutes Johnno? Must have been outstanding.
July 19th 2012 @ 3:36pm
Nick said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
The funniest thing about this nonsense is just how much time you’ve spent ‘thinking’ about it and developing your ‘facts’ to prove your argument. It’s genuinely hilarious because it’s absolutely ridiculous.
July 19th 2012 @ 3:30pm
Nick said | July 19th 2012 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
Hahaha, Mcabe in the same class as Nonu, classic. Not a chance
July 19th 2012 @ 4:23pm
chuck said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
Johnno.
Jonah also did not score against Fiji & Wales you not putting Pat in the same criteria are you Jona the bloke scored 37 tries for the all blacks 185 pts for the all blacks .
Australia 6 tries and in 1995 he Scored 20 in one season
Accumulated 122 tries in his career before that dreadful decease cut him down Pat has a long way too go reflection of dominance would you not say in Jonah corner.
July 19th 2012 @ 4:29pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
I’d also quite like to understand the logical leap from “It’s possible to dominate without scoring tries” to “It’s possible to dominate your opposite number without scoring tries while letting them score lots of tries”.
July 19th 2012 @ 4:40pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:40pm | Report comment
Pat Mcabe has blocked a lot of tries and once again rugby is a rag tag game, end to end stuff players get tries all the time and there opposite number gets none. Rugby is not about man marking 100% of the time. Nonu’s try in the world cup vs OZ had nothing to do with Mcabe it was Elsom’s fault his slack defending. If it was a role reversal Nonu would of been able to do nothing to stop the try too.
July 19th 2012 @ 4:51pm
Jerry said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
Ok, now explain how McCabe dominated Nonu in those 31 minutes. I’m still waiting…..
July 19th 2012 @ 6:54pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 6:54pm | Report comment
Jerry okay Mcabe didn’t dominate Nonu but Mcabe wasn’t dominated either. They are neck and neck.
July 19th 2012 @ 7:29pm
Kuruki said | July 19th 2012 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
So did Nonu actually say those things about McCabe and if so when? or is that a little wee myth also?
July 19th 2012 @ 4:59pm
Kuruki said | July 19th 2012 @ 4:59pm | Report comment
McCabe is a solid player Johnno but i really don’t think he has had the better of Nonu in most of the games they have played. Being solid is one thing, dominating is another.
July 19th 2012 @ 7:33pm
Johnno said | July 19th 2012 @ 7:33pm | Report comment
Here is what Ma Nonu saids Kuruki it is all out in the open.
http://news.migage.com/articles/Meeting%20of%20monsters:%20Nonu%20weighs%20up%20McCabe%20as%20bigger%20option_524476_22.html
July 19th 2012 @ 9:40pm
dcnz said | July 19th 2012 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
Hey Johnno I thought it was the Aussie defender inside of McCabe that didn’t tackle Dagg and Elsom just ran over to try and cover izzy but by then he was on his way?
July 19th 2012 @ 5:09pm
Jutsie said | July 19th 2012 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
Whilst i think saying mccabe has dominated nonu is a huge exaggeration I also think getting worried after saturdays game like cully stated in his article is also a bit hysteric.
Johnno is half right, in previous outings mccabe has not been shamed at all by nonu and has held his own in defence (although we all know he is deficient in attack but thats another story).
Saturday was the first time in the last 2 years that nonu has been able to impose himself on mccabe and im sure patty will bounce back the next time they meet as he comes across as a tough and proud competitor.