Umaga is the only option for Blues coach

By Gregor Paul

Rugby analyst·NZ Herald·

18 Jun, 2015 11:27 PM2 mins to read

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.

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Opinion by Gregor Paul

Rugby analyst and feature writer

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Square one - the Blues have reacquainted themselves with it. A bit like the ragged rascal, round and round they have run and not a bit of progress has been made.

It's mid-June and, after a season which saw them win just three games, they are left without a coach and not an extensive queue of candidates.

In fact, in all honesty, there is now just one realistic candidate - Tana Umaga.

The Blues board will meet on Monday and, rather than move at their typical glacial pace, they need to draw up a list of potential candidates there and then. They could rattle off a heap of names, write them all down and pretend they are a club with choice. They could pretend they have a long list of world-class coaches desperate to take up the job.

They don't. They have one option but they should at least by consoled by the fact he's a good option. Really good option.

Umaga needs to be brought in as soon as possible. He needs to be persuaded the time is now, that joining the Blues is the right thing for his career and that he has three years to turn them into a title-winning side again.

Whatever he wants - give it to him. Whoever he wants as his assistants - let him have them. Don't quibble about money. Don't haggle over the little things - just get Umaga installed as quickly as humanly possible and task him with finishing off the recruiting.

The Blues have only 20 players under contract. They have a few players holding out to see what happens with the coach.

But more importantly, they need to bring in a few from outside the region. They need to be strengthened at halfback and first-five. They need a lock or two. They need another hooker. They need another outside back who can not only finish, but also bring all-round football skills.

Hell, they need an awful lot so what's the point in delaying? What's the point in wasting any more time? The Blues are at square one all over again and the familiarity with it is starting to breed contempt.