Forlorn Blues franchise must spill blood on the floor

By WYNNE GRAY

The Blues must have a four-year plan to take them through to the end of the Super 12 contract with News Corp.

The disasters of the past three seasons demand a cleanout in the coaching and playing ranks, setting targets for the franchise for the rest of the competition.

Unfortunately, that means a new coach, the fifth in five seasons. It has to be done but the successor to Frank Oliver will be only as good as the research into his ability.

Any suggestions that the NZRFU or any human resources outfit enter the debate should be booted into touch. The Blues must organise their own destiny.

As soon as possible, chief executive David White should arrange a conference of wise rugby men from Northland, North Harbour and Auckland - men without any previous political dabbling in the franchise - to get their drift on problems and solutions.

Instead of having officials from each union harass him about their self-interested proposals, White should then arrange another pow-wow with all those people.

He should crack heads in an open forum, give each the chance to air his grievances and to offer ideas.

There has to be an entrails-on-the-floor franchise discussion to end the political bickering.

The three partners must reach a consensus for the Blues to advance.

Picking the coach cannot be sorted on this season's theory that All Black icons equal coaching productivity and resurgent results.

The Blues should not restrict themselves to someone from within the franchise, though local knowledge has to be important, especially at selection time.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett might make an interesting contender, but he is unlikely to be available.

NZRFU guidelines would prohibit him anyway because he has not been involved in New Zealand rugby in the past 12 months. The Blues should disregard that edict.

If highly successful three-times Lions coach Ian McGeechan or England's present coach Clive Woodward suddenly decided they wanted to live and coach in New Zealand, would they be excluded?

Or would a Mac McCallion punt for work be ignored because he has been living outside the region?

Frontrunners will be the provincial coaches within the franchise boundaries: Bryce Woodward, Wayne Shelford and Wayne Pivac.

Then others with international experience and ties to the area, such as Peter Sloane and Brad Johnstone, may be scrutinised, before other wildcard contenders like Laurie Mains or Zinzan Brooke.

The principles behind the coaching choice must be rigorously defined. Oliver's heir must:

* Have experienced many levels of rugby with a consistent record.

* Be a quality selector.

* Bring technical expertise, management and motivation skills.

* Be supremely organised, with selections to match his gameplan.

* Return discipline and work ethic to the franchise.

If those standards are met, then all those die-for-the-cause values will surge through the squad.

THE YOUNG GUNS


They are young, talented and they play their rugby in the Blues region. Former All Black centre and Blues Colts coach Bruce Robertson says players such as these will push for NPC honours this season. And after that, especially with results from the Blues' last three seasons, who knows?

Robertson runs the rule over those who caught his eye:

JAMES ARLIDGE (Auckland) First five-eighths. Controlled the games for the Blues Colts and showed similar traits when he was elevated to the Blues. Ran well and called the right moves in the Colts, where he was very composed and showed he could handle the pressure.

STEPHEN BATES (Auckland) Blindside flanker. Captained Blues to their win in the Super 12 Colts competition. An exceptional workhorse, a non-stop competitor and strong leader who can play in all three loose forward positions.

DANIEL BRAID (Auckland) Openside flanker. Rugby pedigree as the son of former All Black lock Gary Braid. He is extremely accurate at the breakdown with or without the ball. Has good anticipation and makes the right decisions. Very robust for a smaller man.

MATT LORD (North Harbour) Lock. Has already played NPC where his work ethic impressed. An honest, reliable footballer, the sort of toiler every pack needs and appreciates more when he is unavailable.

TONY WOODCOCK (North Harbour) Loosehead prop. A New Zealand Colts rep last season, he has a great build and matches that with a disciplined technique.

RODD PENNEY (North Harbour) Centre. Has good pace, a strong tackle and consistently made breaks throughout the Colts series. Will push to make it into the NPC squad.

JASON SHOEMARK (Northland) Second five-eighths. Has come through the grades and been involved for a couple of seasons with his province. Expect even more matches this year where he can play centre as well.

JAMES CHRISTIAN (Auckland) Hooker. On the comeback route after playing for Auckland and in Super 12. A strong player and solid round the field, he offered good leadership in the Colts series.