Clean break start of a steep learning curve for Umaga

Tana Umaga. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Whatever occurred, Tana Umaga will benefit most from coaching the Blues without any interference from John Kirwan.

He will also need his wits to deal with the Blues administration which stumbled through the latest crisis without any apparent idea about a solution.

Umaga needs to be the boss. This is his team and one he needs to put his mark on without Kirwan hovering on his shoulder like Captain Flint.

There's no guarantee Umaga's ideas will work, but he needs room, freedom and most of all backing from the Blues to see if he can halt the slide in standards and get the side working in the right direction.

When chief executive Michael Redman farewelled Kirwan with encouraging words about his legacy and the pathways he had created for "sustainable success", it made you wince.

The franchise's motley history displays the difficulties Umaga has signed on for as the third successive All Black to be appointed as coach.

Pat Lam lasted four years with a 46 per cent success rate, Kirwan three years at 33 per cent and now Umaga will take on the duties once he's gone through the next ITM Cup campaign with Counties Manukau.

Does Umaga have the tools to make a success of his appointment and equally importantly, will the Blues help him to succeed?

Coaching the Blues is a career path which comes with a mix of curiosity, a leap of faith and probable apprehension.

They've got about 20 players on the books for the next campaign as some retire, others head offshore and the rest wait to hear if Kirwan was going to be replaced.

It's not a robust foundation, but it is a start and there is some serious talent on the books. However, many of the players are inexperienced and will need to be managed through the next campaign.

Finding enough gnarly quality tight forwards to boost James Parsons, Charlie Faumuina, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Bekhuis will be one area. The usual halfback/five-eighths problem is another issue to be resolved.

The 42-year-old Umaga is on a learning curve with his work and will need to tap into advice about the quality of provincial players.

He will get that from franchise provincial coaches - Richie Harris, Steve Jackson and Paul Feeney - and picking the more experienced Jackson and Feeney to join him at the Blues may be his strongest move at reuniting the franchise.