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
Mad Mick
Guest
I think they have a very good 10 in West. I also think the Blues will do just fine next year. They have some real missiles to fire. Ranger and Moala in the midfield Tuipolotu Kaino Faumina Ione up front Visinia out the back.
Ken
Guest
Even Tana wont save these massive underachievers... TANA MANA EY?? What`s with he MANA?? Didn`t Pat LAM have MANA???You kiwis crack me up..
taylorman
Roar Guru
Theyve been dodging it for ten years
Ra
Guest
A fair comment. Then that person could work it out through word association within the text. That person would then culturally contextualise the conversation and work out for him or herself that mana must be some special and prestigious. So that ardent rugby fan would not even bother asking. Simple really eh
Kiwi
Guest
They haven't dodged a bullet yet. Axing the coach, which needed to be done, was just the first step in transformation. The board will be changed out next, along with Murray Bolton (who would seriously put their investment money with this guy on the strength of his behaviour around JK?) and his 40% ownership.
Kiwi
Guest
If you did a poll today, the Blues and the fans will take a mid-table finish. The only way is up now. Because aside from the Force you can't get any worse.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes but how will we ever know if all we ever do is keep changing is the coaches? I'm certain one or more people have breathed a huge sigh of relief that they have once again dodged a bullet.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Me, I would have had JK stay there and finish the job off. I have no confidence that Tana will do anything next year that JK couldnt have, and there is certainly no evidence to suggest there is other than...'change is good'...
lassitude
Guest
More to the point - has the Blues front office been sorted ? If not then I suspect Tana maybe in for the same issues as JK, Lam, Nucifora etc. etc.
Combesy
Guest
Best of luck to the blues always enjoyed getting done to Eden park when I lived in Auckland. Something needs to change, whether it's culture or coaching structures or something else only time will tell
Zero Gain
Guest
Wow, that is awesome. Didn't even know he was coaching (excuse my ignorance). Tana Umaga is a true legend of the game. Hope he can get the Blues firing again, just not too well against the Reds.
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely mate....to retain the support of the changing room, then he needs to manage the men first and coach them second.....easier said than done tho', init?? And, he may just get the lucky break he's seeking and be able to turn his team of stars into the star team, that so many in the region believe, they have. Jamie J travelled the hard yards first before the penny dropped.....now look what he's doing with and what he's getting back from, the team.
Highlander
Guest
OB, your line about individuals working for others is always key but I think even more so for the Blues, they look / have looked for a few years like a very talented group of individuals who play like they are on their own, even for individual rather than team outcomes (maybe that last comment is a bit harsh but maybe not) One of the reasons, The Lions, Rebels and Highlanders have outperformed relative to their rosters this , is the team ethic and the willingness to put yourself out so someone else in your side benefits. Good man management, as you observe, as well as good coaching. Blues get this, they will be a v good side again cause they got the players
Akari
Roar Rookie
I agree and I hope that Tana finds the right people to help him turn the Titanic around. I did feel that the senior players didn't apply themselves enough this year and perhaps they had stopped listening to the coach by the time of their SA tour.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Badlands post suggests otherwise and TU may well be the only left standing and maybe all you have for at least the next 3 years Tman. I wish him luck and hope that he is successful.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yep OB, agree entirely and in particular about his selection (or support from) of assistants.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
jez, that's my worry too... the Blues have ruined the CV's of many coaches... but let Tana have his day...
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Taylorman ... clowns like us are kept in the dark and feed mushrooms anyhow so I just support the Blues and whoever they appoint. I got a little verbal about Sir JK but that was out of frustration (in particular in their last match where they threw in the white towel on Kevvy's celebration .. that I concede, got to me!). It will be interesting who Tana attracts as his assistants.
BluesMan
Guest
And who would you have picked instead?
BluesMan
Guest
The part where he completely discredits Tana's coaching achievements mate. Look at what Tana has done for Counties and more recently with the Under 20's. J.K literally had a bad record as a coach, Tana doesn't.