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Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has replaced Sir John Kirwan as head coach of the Blues.
Umaga has signed a three-year deal with the struggling Super Rugby franchise in New Zealand, following the resignation last week of Kirwan, who guided the Blues to 16 wins from 48 games in a three-year term.
It was widely expected that 42-year-old Umaga would take the reins, having coached previously at French club Toulon and enjoying success in three seasons as head coach of domestic club Counties Manukau.
Kirwan had an unhappy two years in the top job at the Blues, failing to make the finals in his three-year tenure at the club.
He led the Blues to tenth place twice, and 14th place in this Super Rugby season.
Since leaving the Hurricanes in 2007, Umaga has had player-coach roles at Toulon, Counties Manukau and a brief return to competitive football with the Chiefs in 2011.
“There’s no quick fix to turn things around. It is going to take a lot of very hard work which will be my focus. I want to let our performances on the field do the talking.”
Blues chairman Tony Carter said the board of the Blues agreed unanimously that Umaga was the right man for the job following “unsatisfactory” results in the 2015 season, when they finished 14th with three wins.
Umaga will take up his position fulltime when his duties with Counties Manukau finish later this year.
“Thanks to the people of the Blues region, it’s steeped in history and I’m thankful to be a part of it.”
“I believe in actions on the field speaking for themselves & I’m looking forward to this challenge”
Umaga earned 129 Super Rugby caps with the Hurricanes and Chiefs, as well as playing 74 Tests for the All Blacks.
With AAP
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