The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Kirwan's on his way out, but who'd coach the Blues?

Roar Pro
1st April, 2015
Advertisement
Sir John Kirwan was an excellent player, sadly he didn't equal that as a coach. (Jason Milich / Flickr)
Roar Pro
1st April, 2015
75
1527 Reads

Looking at the Blues’ record and prospects for the rest of this Super Rugby season is a grim exercise.

I can see only the Rebels and the Force as likely scalps, and I wouldn’t put money on either game, leaving the horrifying possibility of a winless season.

You can argue that the Blues haven’t been as bad as the doughnut in the win column would suggest, but there’s still a doughnut in the win column.

The question has become not if Sir John Kirwan will leave the Blues, but when – and who will be handed the poisoned chalice next?

Sir Graham Henry
The back-to-the-future option, Henry was recently sighted at Blues training, apparently for a TV documentary. He has three Super titles with the Blues, including in 2003 when he was technical adviser (I suspect the advice came thick and fast), as well as a smaller gold trophy from 2011. His involvement in the first two years of Kirwan’s reign might not have got JK off on the best foot however.

Against him is his age and willingness, does he want to take the job on?

Robbie Deans
Do I hear the sound of the contents of Waikumete cemetery revolving? It has been suggested that the man formerly know as ‘Dingo’ be brought in to sort out the Blues. While he did great things with the Crusaders, comments from the man himself have suggested he might have trouble putting his heart into the Blues.

There is also the matter of his ongoing contract in Japan and the spectre of a troubled reign at the helm of another of his old enemies.

Advertisement

Mark Hammet
Exited the Cardiff Blues with remarkable speed and is now back in New Zealand, ostensibly for family reasons. He’s comparatively young and energetic, and judging by his time at the Hurricanes not afraid to make harsh calls. His bitter medicine at the Canes didn’t result in any titles, but may have set them on an upward trajectory.

On the other hand he’s another man from Canterbury.

Tana Umaga
A widely respected personality who has brought Counties Manukau up into the top tier of the ITM cup since taking over as head coach. He has previously resisted overtures to join the Blues as an assistant but may think differently about a head coach role.

Colin Cooper
Didn’t set the world on fire with the Canes but he has Taranaki humming at ITM cup level and good experience with New Zealand Maori. He might be worth another crack at Super Rugby level.

Mark Anscombe
The former Auckland coach recently departed Ulster, with his biggest past achievement coaching the New Zealand U20s to the 2011 junior world championship. Auckland were competitive without being outstanding under Anscombe, while Ulster’s best finish was runners up in the pro12.

Biggest con is that the Blues need a real winner who can put boots up backsides, and he doesn’t fit the description.

Not considered
Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter: good luck prizing them away from their respective national coaching positions.

Advertisement

John Mitchell: hard nosed but so many burning bridges.

close