Rugby: Troubled Blues to miss coach decision deadline

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Players in limbo as deadlocked board unable to resolve long-running saga over Kirwan’s fate

The Blues board, still in a standoff over whether to retain John Kirwan, is about to miss its first deadline on making a decision.

Its declared intention last week was for next year's coach to be announced by the end of May, but chief executive Michael Redman said yesterday that was unlikely to happen.

It appears an intervention into the dispute by New Zealand Rugby is only days away, but chairman Tony Carter yesterday remained positive that a consensus could be reached.

Carter met individuals on the board this week - it is understood Auckland Rugby representatives Brian Wilsher and Greg Edmonds want alternatives to Kirwan to be investigated because of his poor record with the team over three years, with Murray Bolton, Laurie Margrain and John Morgan wanting to keep the former All Black great.

"We're making progress. I think it's fair to say that they are not as entrenched as they were," Carter said of the two parties' positions.

It's understood the impasse came about after a change in position from Bolton, Margrain and Morgan - who represent the franchise's investment arm. The trio initially also wanted Kirwan out, but changed their minds around the time Kirwan presented his plan for next year and beyond which at that stage involved recruiting assistant coach Tabai Matson from the Crusaders. Matson has since said no to Kirwan.

Auckland Rugby's stance is believed to be that since little has changed at the franchise there is no reason for them to change their position on Kirwan.

Time is running out, with Redman admitting the long-running saga had the potential to put prospective players off.

"We brief them," Redman said of the current squad. "They read stuff in the paper and we clarify the bits that we need to and they have assured us that they are focused on preparing each week.

"Inevitably there will be some current players and players who would like to come here that would like to see the outcome of the process before they commit, but it hasn't been a huge feature of our negotiations so far, but the longer it drags on the more impact it will have on recruitment and the board is aware of that and that is another reason why we want to resolve that as soon as we can."

Redman added: "It's not ideal and certainly the way things played out last week is not ideal for our sponsors, members and fans, but in the end it was always going to be challenging when you're needing to make a decision and review mid-season.

"This is one of the biggest decisions our club will make every few years. It's not surprising there's strong and passionate views around the table. It's important they achieve the right decision rather than a fast decision."

Kirwan, who, like the team's supporters, sponsors and players, remains in limbo, admitted yesterday the strain had got to him.

"I wouldn't be human if it didn't."