Wynne Gray: It's time for a big Blues revamp

The latest Blues fiasco must encourage change.

This nation's largest Super 14 franchise cannot be run from Eden Park with a chief executive who doubles up in the same role for Auckland, it has to be far more independent.

It is time for some senior administrator, someone with a great knowledge of the region's history, needs and objectives, to undertake a sharp review and franchise overhaul.

Someone like Richie Guy, Peter Thorburn or Rob Fisher, men of that ilk, could be asked to sort out the mess. The franchise needs an independent boss, working from a separate office, whose aims focus on the Blues and are not blurred by other responsibilities.

The coaching staff should feel similarly clear about their purpose, duties and targets.

The current Super format has one more season to go as the Blues look at a grisly record since their last 2003 triumph. In the six seasons since they have finished fifth, seventh, eighth, fourth, sixth and ninth.

They are ugly returns for an area which comprises more than 20,000 players in Auckland, 10,000 in North Harbour and 6000 in Northland.

Revelations that Auckland asked Harbour to buy hosting rights for a Blues game next year and the lack of co-operation as Eden Park undergoes its refit speak of the franchise dysfunction.

The smaller Harbour and Northland unions have to acknowledge Auckland is the big wheel in the tripartite arrangement but the partnership also needs to be inclusive and there must be Blues contracts, not those which envelop provincial and Super rugby duties.

There has to be a regional philosophy about player development not the situation which is still spluttering along for next year as the Blues search for a suitable five-eighths and halfback.

Since Carlos Spencer disappeared in mid 2005, the Blues have tried Tasesa Lavea, Luke McAlister, Isa Nacewa, David Holwell, Nick Evans and Jimmy Gopperth in the No 10 role without any great success or security.

There have been similar dramas at halfback with David Gibson, Steve Devine, Craig McGrath, Kevin Senio, Junior Poluleuligaga, Danny Lee, Taniela Moa and Chris Smylie.

Only foundation coach Graham Henry and current supremo Pat Lam had deep coaching links to the area.

Waikato and the Chiefs have separated their chief executive roles but the Blues continue with the duplication with Auckland. Andy Dalton, like his predecessors, operates in both areas, an awkward overlap.

If the Blues can't see the issues and a solution, maybe the New Zealand Rugby Union needs to encourage some result.