Kirwan replaces embattled Blues coach Pat Lam
"Sir JK's appointment is a breath of fresh air for the Blues... Good luck!"
Featured commentFormer All Black Sir John Kirwan has been appointed the new head coach of the Blues.
He replaces embattled coach Pat Lam, who was sacked after a woeful season.
During Lam's fourth year in charge, the injury-wracked Blues had just four wins from 16 games, finishing in 12th place, despite a late turnaround.
Sir John (47) has signed a two-year contract for the 2013 and 2014 Investec Super Rugby seasons. His contract is effective from August 13.
He played 142 games for Auckland, 96 for the All Blacks (63 test caps) 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.
"This is an exciting time. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Blues next season in what I hope will be a new era of success and innovation," he said.
"I'm also thrilled about coming back to New Zealand and home to Auckland after several years overseas. I am a proud Blues man and I started my rugby career in the region so I am really excited about connecting with fans and working with the Blues community.
"There is certainly some hard work ahead and I am looking forward to the challenge," Kirwan said.
Blues chairman Gary Whetton congratulated Sir John on the new position, indicating that the expectations in front of him were significant.
"It's been a tough season for the Blues. Our supporters expect the team to play winning rugby, as we all do. The challenge is clearly laid down for John and we look forward to seeing positive results.
"While there's no denying John has a stellar playing record in New Zealand, our interest was in finding the right coach for the Blues – someone who could coach this team to success – and we've selected John to do that."
Sir John's resume includes head coach of the UK Barbarians (2012), head coach of Japan (2007-11) and head coach of Italy (2002-05).
As a player, he represented the All Blacks from 1984-94, being named All Black of the Year after the Rugby World Cup win in 1987. He represented Auckland from 1983-94.
NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said the appointment followed an intense interview process and Sir John represented an opportunity for change for the franchise.
He was appointed on the unanimous recommendation of a joint NZRU and Blues panel, which is the standard process for all Investec Super Rugby coach appointments.
"We welcome John back to New Zealand and to Auckland. We know that his appointment will be a popular one. John presented himself very strongly during the recruitment process and we were impressed with the level of preparation and his understanding of what is required to produce a winning Blues team."
Messrs Whetton and Sorensen paid tribute to outgoing coach Pat Lam.
"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," Mr Whetton said.
"We know tPat will be very disappointed with this outcome as he had worked tirelessly for the Blues. We will continue to talk to Pat about his future and we wish him well," Mr Sorensen said.
Lam made his Blues coaching debut in 2009, having coached Auckland from 2004-08, including an undefeated season in 2007.
His coaching career followed a successful playing career with Manu Samoa, including three Rugby World Cup campaigns.
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Comments and questions11
Go John Kirwan. Kia ora...
While Sir John has to be commended for his work around depression, there is no evidence that he is a half-decent rugby coach, let alone a good one. I'm quite surprised he has been given a 2 year contract, but presumably there is an opt-out clause after one. I doubt any of the other Super 15 teams will be trembling in their boots with this appointment.
Was Mr Kirwan chosen for his rugby coaching ability, or his ability to guide people through bouts of depression?
"Both" you say?
I say old chap, what an inspired choice!!
Ironic that Kirwan has the Blues
Sir JK's appointment is a breath of fresh air for the Blues. His credentials as a high performance player and inspirational coach are unblemished and he has demonstrated he can 'lift' sides to perform to their potential. He is highly respected in the top echelons of the sport and a distinguished and successful period at the Blues would equip him for higher coaching honours in future. Good luck John!
You mean like his Japanese team's terrible performance at the world cup before he got the boot?
Or do you mean like his Italian team's consistently poor performances in the 6 nations before he got the boot there too?
Am struggling to see any evidence of genuine success in his track record.
Well he hardly had the pick of the world's premo rugby talent to pick did he?
I'm not a rugby coach but put me in charge of the AB's and they will win 75%+. Alternately give Graham Henry one of those two teams and see how serious a challenger they are in four years time(not!)
Good luck JK and welcome home
Good move. JK has the credentials and the mana. Hopefully Aucklanders will get behind him and the team and help them pick themselves up again for the next season.
It is to Lam's credit that he kept his dignity throughtout his horrible season, and that the Blues were able to win their last game.
I see the tall poppy syndrome is still alive and well. Good luck JK
I feel really sorry for Pat Lam, he has a bunch of players where they cannot do the basics properly, let alone get the top four inches in the right spot, and then he had to inherit the disruptive uncoachables from another area, that for one reason or another were not required, then he also had to deal with former top line players who were on the downward spiral who thought that just turning up was all that was required, until Kirwan gets the broom out and sweeps the floor clean like they did at another franchise, he is going to have major problems especially in his first year, as the current selectors/coaches and management are the ones selecting the players for next year, this is exactly what happened at the other franchise and they had the cleanout in year two....brilliant NZRFU ethics isn't it!!! If I was Kirwan I would be off the bus right now and telling them who he is not having next year, if they don't concede....ceeyoulater Blues.
Pat you did remakably well with what you had, how does the saying go about making silk purses out of sow's ears.
Cheer's
A born and bred Auck Blues supporter through and through.