John Kirwan's future with the Blues is uncertain once again. Photo / Brett Phibbs
John Kirwan's future with the Blues is uncertain once again. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Blues statement restores the uncertainty and makes media reports the scapegoat.
The latest twist in the daily soap opera that is the Blues over the past fortnight is that John Kirwan's job is apparently not safe after all.
The Blues board, responding to recent revelations which have included Kirwan's plea to save his job with the help of Tabai Matson and Wayne Smith, yesterday issued a statement saying all options, including the creation of a contestable process, remained on the table.
Kirwan, under increasing pressure as he tries to coach a struggling Super Rugby team while trying to seek help for next year and beyond and convince his board he remains its best choice, could have been forgiven a rueful grin as he read it.
An earlier communication from the franchise to the media and by extension Blues' fans might have saved him some trouble this week as he fended off question after question about his plans. And now it has arrived, it has spelled out in black and white that his position remains under threat.
Whether that is strictly true remains to be seen, because the board hasn't given itself much time if it wants to open up Kirwan's role to the market. The job hasn't been advertised, we're past the middle of May, and the board wants the coaches to be on deck by August - when presumably any coaches worth their salt will be committed to their current jobs.
The board's best choice now might be its only choice - stick with Kirwan for next year while undertaking a proper consulting process with other coaches, many of whom are likely to be abroad.
The previous silence about the review process has presumably been an attempt to protect Kirwan, but his team's continuing losses have demanded answers, and in the absence of any information the media, and in particular the Herald, have gathered the facts from other sources.
That silence has served only to isolate Kirwan, who has been left to fend off the questions by himself.
Even the board's response deserves scrutiny, especially the blaming of the media.
"Everyone involved in an employment review or recruitment process should be able to rely on confidentiality," yesterday's statement said. "Media speculation has contributed to the process being compromised. The Blues have not and cannot comment on potential candidates in keeping with participants' expectation of confidentiality."
It added, without any apparent irony: "The impact on the Blues current coaching staff and players is unacceptable."
The Crusaders were close to losing Matson, who would have been told to clear his desk had he returned to Christchurch and said he had accepted Kirwan's offer. That rejection was a big blow to Kirwan.
Wayne Smith has been linked to helping John Kirwan at the Blues next year. Photo / Getty Images
His good friend Smith is no certainty to be involved either. The linking of Smith's name to the franchise for next year might will allow supporters a glimmer of optimism, but, while Kirwan and the board apparently want him, he is no certainty.
The former Chiefs assistant, who had a new role this year as a consultant to all New Zealand franchises with a move back to the All Blacks for the World Cup imminent, is understood to be keen on helping Kirwan, but not in an official assistant coaching role.
The saga
March Kirwan approaches Tabai Matson about a possible move to Blues.
April Blues board starts head coach review process.
May 1 Herald story about Kirwan's succession plan and Matson approach.
May 13 Herald story about Matson being in Auckland to talk to Blues.
