FrankLind
Colin Windon (37)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7292292/John-Kirwan-to-coach-Blues-as-Lam-shown-door
Former All Black John Kirwan is the new head coach of the Blues, with incumbent Pat Lam being shown the door after four years in charge.
Kirwan returns to coach in New Zealand after stints with Japan (2007-2011) and Italy (2002-2005) and will take over the Blues in August. He has signed a two-year contract for the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons.
"This is an exciting time. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Blues next season in what I hope will be a new era of success and innovation," Kirwan said.
"I'm also thrilled about coming back to New Zealand and home to Auckland after several years overseas. I am a proud Blues man and I started my rugby career in the region so I am really excited about connecting with fans and working with the Blues community. There is certainly some hard work ahead and I am looking forward to the challenge."
Kirwan has strong ties to the region having played 142 games for Auckland and 96 for the All Blacks (63 tests). He also had a brief stint with the Blues franchise in 2001 as assistant coach.
Despite suffering a horror injury toll, having the most under-resourced management team in the competition, and the late-season turnaround in form, Lam failed in his bid to be reappointed. Interviews were held last Friday.
This year the Blues finished 12th overall with a record of four wins and 12 losses.
Under Lam the Blues made the playoffs once, finishing 9th, 7th, 4th and 12th overall. The pure numbers say Lam had 26 wins, 32 defeats and a draw.
The head coach role comes with accountability and Lam will accept this. But he has been made a scapegoat and there is a growing sense the finger must be pointed higher up the Blues' food chain if true changes are to be achieved. That responsibility rests with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Lam will hold his final press conference at Unitec at 1.30pm today.
It was thought the presence of Lam's close-confidant and former All Blacks coach Graham Henry on the five-man selection panel may have given the incumbent a second-chance.
But the overriding push for change has won out with Kirwan securing the role.
Blues chairman Gary Whetton congratulated Kirwan on the new position, highlighting that the expectations in front of him were significant.
"It's been a tough season for the Blues. Our supporters expect the team to play winning rugby, as we all do. The challenge is clearly laid down for John and we look forward to seeing positive results. While there's no denying John has a stellar playing record in New Zealand, our interest was in finding the right coach for the Blues - someone who could coach this team to success and we've selected John to do that," Whetton said.
NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Kirwan's appointment followed an intense interview process and he represented an opportunity for change for the franchise.
"We welcome John back to New Zealand and to Auckland. We know that his appointment will be a popular one," Sorensen said. "John presented himself very strongly during the recruitment process and we were impressed with the level of preparation and his understanding of what is required to produce a winning Blues team."
Both Whetton and Sorensen paid tribute to Lam.
"We know this is a difficult time for Pat who has been a long and loyal servant to Auckland Rugby and the Blues and we thank him for all he has given to both," Whetton said.
Sorensen said: "We know that Pat will be very disappointed with this outcome as he had worked tirelessly for the Blues. We will continue to talk to Pat about his future and we wish him well."
Pat Lam made his Blues coaching debut in 2009 having coached Auckland from 2004 to 2008 including an undefeated season in 2007. His coaching career followed a successful playing career with Manu Samoa including three Rugby World Cup campaigns.
Former All Black John Kirwan is the new head coach of the Blues, with incumbent Pat Lam being shown the door after four years in charge.
Kirwan returns to coach in New Zealand after stints with Japan (2007-2011) and Italy (2002-2005) and will take over the Blues in August. He has signed a two-year contract for the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons.
"This is an exciting time. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Blues next season in what I hope will be a new era of success and innovation," Kirwan said.
"I'm also thrilled about coming back to New Zealand and home to Auckland after several years overseas. I am a proud Blues man and I started my rugby career in the region so I am really excited about connecting with fans and working with the Blues community. There is certainly some hard work ahead and I am looking forward to the challenge."
Kirwan has strong ties to the region having played 142 games for Auckland and 96 for the All Blacks (63 tests). He also had a brief stint with the Blues franchise in 2001 as assistant coach.
Despite suffering a horror injury toll, having the most under-resourced management team in the competition, and the late-season turnaround in form, Lam failed in his bid to be reappointed. Interviews were held last Friday.
This year the Blues finished 12th overall with a record of four wins and 12 losses.
Under Lam the Blues made the playoffs once, finishing 9th, 7th, 4th and 12th overall. The pure numbers say Lam had 26 wins, 32 defeats and a draw.
The head coach role comes with accountability and Lam will accept this. But he has been made a scapegoat and there is a growing sense the finger must be pointed higher up the Blues' food chain if true changes are to be achieved. That responsibility rests with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Lam will hold his final press conference at Unitec at 1.30pm today.
It was thought the presence of Lam's close-confidant and former All Blacks coach Graham Henry on the five-man selection panel may have given the incumbent a second-chance.
But the overriding push for change has won out with Kirwan securing the role.
Blues chairman Gary Whetton congratulated Kirwan on the new position, highlighting that the expectations in front of him were significant.
"It's been a tough season for the Blues. Our supporters expect the team to play winning rugby, as we all do. The challenge is clearly laid down for John and we look forward to seeing positive results. While there's no denying John has a stellar playing record in New Zealand, our interest was in finding the right coach for the Blues - someone who could coach this team to success and we've selected John to do that," Whetton said.
NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Kirwan's appointment followed an intense interview process and he represented an opportunity for change for the franchise.
"We welcome John back to New Zealand and to Auckland. We know that his appointment will be a popular one," Sorensen said. "John presented himself very strongly during the recruitment process and we were impressed with the level of preparation and his understanding of what is required to produce a winning Blues team."
Both Whetton and Sorensen paid tribute to Lam.
"We know this is a difficult time for Pat who has been a long and loyal servant to Auckland Rugby and the Blues and we thank him for all he has given to both," Whetton said.
Sorensen said: "We know that Pat will be very disappointed with this outcome as he had worked tirelessly for the Blues. We will continue to talk to Pat about his future and we wish him well."
Pat Lam made his Blues coaching debut in 2009 having coached Auckland from 2004 to 2008 including an undefeated season in 2007. His coaching career followed a successful playing career with Manu Samoa including three Rugby World Cup campaigns.
