Graham Lowe: Kirwan should resign

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan. Photo / Getty Images

Sir John Kirwan should resign as Blues coach.

I think Kirwan has been badly let down by some of his rugby mates, who shouldn't allow a former great player to suffer the humiliation that is unfolding.

They should have the courage and compassion to have a quiet word in his ear. He needs to be told in no uncertain terms - enough is enough.

I know Kirwan, and he's a great bloke and a very proud rugby man. He certainly has nothing to prove. I've spoken with him about coaching, and his enthusiasm to do well is undeniable.

But I suspect that, like many, he's has fallen into the trap of thinking coaching is a science. It's not! It's an art. You can either do it or you can't.

And it doesn't come with its own language, although some coaches, and I suspect Kirwan is one of them, try to talk in 'coach speak'.

Coaching is quite simple. You identify and pick the best players you can. You give them an easy, understandable plan. Then you give them the belief that they can perform better than they ever thought they could.

It is certainly no disgrace not to be a top footy coach.

I come from the thirteen-man game, but I'm still a proud member of the coaches union which transcends all sports.

Coaches are coaches, no matter what sport they are involved in, and it's because of this I've decided to write this column.

I care what happens to Kirwan, but I see nothing but grief ahead for him if he stays on in the Blues job. I can't shut my eyes and pretend I'm not seeing and hearing the sad sight of great sporting icon being ridiculed.

He is such a good bloke that I suspect even those supporting other teams are just hoping things will come right for him.

His plight reminds me of a whale that has beached itself and is slowly running out of life. In such a case, volunteers always swarm to the beach to try and rescue the distressed mammal.

Sadly, I don't see that help coming to the Blues coach, and for the life of me, I don't understand why.

Let's be honest here. There shouldn't be another Super 15 team that can come within a bull's roar of the Blues, such is the strength of their resources. I say that with due respect to the blokes who wear red and black down south.

But there is something wrong and has been for a while. Certainly, I haven't seen anything to get excited about during JK's reign.

I've listened to and read the media reports about the strong focus Kirwan puts on his player leadership group at the Blues.

I think that has been one of his main mistakes. There is only one leader that counts in this situation and that is the coach. All a leadership group does is dilute the effectiveness of the coach and instil a layer of unaccountability.

When I look at further options for the Blues there is one beacon that stands out for me - Tana Umaga.

The Counties Manukau coach has demonstrated that with a limited budget, vision, and a good eye for talent, he has what it takes to become a top coach at any level of any sport.

He could be the man to lead the Blues to the glory.