Tana Umaga has a solid record coaching Counties Manukau. Photo / Getty
John Kirwan has described Tana Umaga as a "fantastic" candidate for his former head coach's role at the Blues and has promised to help his transition into the job should he decide to take it.
Kirwan this morning announced he was stepping away from the role he has held for three years.
It follows a woeful period for the Blues in terms of results - this past season has been the worst in the franchise's history, with only three victories. Kirwan called the season a "perfect storm", adding he would take time out with his family before deciding his future. He hinted that that was unlikely to include coaching.
Counties coach Umaga is tipped to be Kirwan's successor, although Blues chief executive Michael Redman this morning declined to comment on that, saying it would be discussed at a Blues board meeting next week.
It is understood the franchise desperately want Umaga and approached him before he left to help coach the New Zealand Under-20s at the World Championship in Italy.
And should he accept the offer, he will find an ally in Kirwan.
"I think Tana is an outstanding young man," Kirwan said. "He has a similar pathway to me - he is a guy who I think would be one of the candidates who would be fantastic for here. He is from the wider region, he is a good man, but ... it is up to the board to make the right decision going forward.
"What I do know is that the person who comes on board will find a club in better shape than what I did and I think that's important. As a colleague of the next person who comes in I am totally available to support [that person] and give any intellectual property... so whoever that might be they can just pick up the phone and I'll be there."
Kirwan's decision brings to an end a coaching saga at the Blues which has gone on since April. That's when he offered his re-appointment plan to the board which included Tabai Matson as his assistant.
Once Matson declined to leave the Crusaders, Kirwan was isolated, although he still had supporters on a board which was split down the middle.
Redman and Kirwan walk in #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: JK told me he was going to resign yesterday #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: While the playing results have not been what we would like, his efforts have been acknowledged #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I love this club and it's tough to resign #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I've reflected in the past few days and I've taken the decision based on family and results #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I didn't bring the results we all wanted. This week has been a perfect storm #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I am paid to present the team to win games for the boards and fans #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I still believe we're in the middle of a turnaround #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I still believe we're in the middle of a turnaround #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: It's been a fantastic ride and I'm a better coach than I was this three years ago #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: Tana would be fantastic but that's the board's decision. The club's in a better place than when I started #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: the new coach will come into a different organization to what JK arrived at #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: A lot of this year has been about player accountability and the next coach has to manage that #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Kirwan: I take full responsibility for this year's results. I really hope the fans stay and get behind the team early next year #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: As a result of the work with JK we've managed to keep all our talented young players #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: The next stage is acquisition and recruitment #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015
Redman: We're comfortable about our recruitment strategy #BluesRugby
— NZ Herald Sport (@nzheraldsport) June 18, 2015