John Kirwan looks to turn Blues 'Poisoned Chalice' Golden

One of Auckland rugby's favourite sons was welcomed back to Eden Park yesterday, as influential power brokers Andy Dalton and Gary Whetton revealed that John Kirwan would be given the task of leading the Blues revival in 2013.

 During the press conference of his unveiling, Kirwan wasted no time in revealing that he was 'fulfilling a dream' coaching the Blues and was noticeably bristling with excitement.

The former golden boy of New Zealand rugby has a strong affinity with Auckland, having represented them in domestic rugby 142 times between 1983 and 1994, but had recently forged a coaching career in Italy and Japan. The time seems right for Kirwan to make the next step though. At first glance, it seems a pretty good fit.

The Blues have struggled under Pat Lam this year, enduring a miserable season in which they finished bottom of the New Zealand conference, despite pre-season hopes of challenging for the title. John Kirwan's challenge therefore will be to transform a stuttering franchise, which has recently been regarded as a bit of a poisoned chalice, into a golden one.

Pat Lam - is he really to blame for Blues woes?

It's difficult not to feel sorry for outgoing Blues coach, Pat Lam. While others in New Zealand were slinging mud, Lam nobly kept his composure in the face of heated criticism, anger and even racism. Some of the abuse directed at him on the radio was vitriolic and didn't showcase the values supposedly prevalent at the heart of our sport.Quite frankly it was embarrassing.

Lam probably wasn't dealt a fair hand in 2012 either, with the Blues suffering a horrendous injury toll (including to key players such as Jerome Kaino, Isaia Toeava and Keven Mealamu). Not many teams would have been able to cope with such a huge loss of experience. In truth it left a cavernous hole which couldn't be filled by the players still left standing.

Most of the criticism batted away by Lam though was directed at his two high profile Wellington recruits, Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu, who quickly found themselves facing a barrage of abuse over their fitness and commitment to New Zealand rugby, after they arrived at the Blues unconditioned, out of form and seemingly disinterested. Both may turn out to be good long-term signings for the Blues, but their form early on played a big part in putting the heat on their coach. Lam it seems, invested his faith in the wrong people.

Pat Lam may have been unlucky, but someone had to be held accountable for Blues woes

In the end, a tally of four wins and 12 losses in 2012 made Lam's bed. Someone had to be held accountable for the Blues' woes and Lam's position as head coach made him the obvious choice.

There do seem to be more deep seated problems at the Blues though. Lam and his coaching team may have been made the scapegoats of this year's failures but there is a growing consensus in New Zealand, that the finger needs to be pointed higher up the chain of command at the Blues, if real change is to be seen.

Lam himself made it clear that he felt he had 'protected' his bosses. One must therefore assume that there is a real possibility, should John Kirwan not succeed as head coach during his two year contract, that Andy Dalton and Gary Whetton's seats at Auckland's top table may become untenable.

 Kirwan has the 'Mana' to make an instant impact

For now, everyone will be backing Kirwan to make an impact. He's the man everyone wants to succeed, as much for his work in increasing awareness of depression, as his exploits on the paddock. Kirwan importantly has the respect of his peers and that should allow him extra time in his pursuit of success.

He has already forged himself an impressively varied coaching career overseas, ever since his ill fated reign as Blues assistant back in 2001. Enough so to enter a tentative application for the All Blacks top job following last year's World Cup. Time with the Blues first seems to be the more natural progression though. How he fares will define his prospects of coaching the national team in the future.

Kirwan excels in the 'big picture' department

As for his results abroad, Kirwan has been credited with laying the foundations for South African Nick Mallet, who helped turn Italy into a more consistent team at test level in recent times, while his four year stint with the Cherry Blossoms in Japan, saw him lead them to Pacific Nations Cup glory in 2011 and also conjure up some impressively imaginative performances with the ball in hand.

It will be hoped that Kirwan can show the same 'Midas touch' in Auckland. A positive brand of rugby would certainly go a long way to bringing an alienated and disillusioned fan base back to Eden Park.

Where, Kirwan seems to really excel though is in the 'big picture projects'. He has vision, both structurally, tactically and personnel wise.


 Harnessing New Zealand's biggest talent pool

In Japan, Kirwan was noted for his adaptiveness. Rather than enforcing his own style on the players, he worked out what was most conducive for success with the players he had at his disposal. He realised that Japan were never going to dominate teams physically, and therefore developed a philosophy whereby they played to their strengths, namely their speed and agility. He wanted to make Japan's fitness a point of difference, so they could out last the bigger teams.

Kirwan's methods weren't all a complete success, but it was never going to be easy transforming a Tier Two nation into a competitive side against the big boys. Importantly he showed an ability to think and plan beyond the next game. Japan are now better for it in the long-run.

Kirwan's game plan thankfully won't be quite as limited by personnel in Auckland. Despite the Blues' troubles, they still lay hold to the biggest talent pool in the country.

New Zealand sevens speedster Charles Piutau impressed for the Blues towards the end of the season

While young talent such as Konrad Hurrell has been lost to the Auckland Warriors and other rugby league sides from Australia in recent years, the Blues still boast some outstanding age grade players. There is incredible potential which can be harnessed. There is no need for an alchemist.

Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua, Francis Saili and Liaki Moli are just four rookies at the Blues who have made a significant mark on the latter rounds of this year's Super 15. Kirwan needs to invest his faith in that talent and grow a new culture at the franchise, based around hard work and innovation.

If he succeeds, we may be looking at a future All Blacks coach and a return to the glory days for the Blues.