Dear JK: 'Step aside and mana will rise'

Blues coach John Kirwan. A coach is only one piece of the rugby jigsaw, writes Wynne Gray. Photo / Getty Images

Dear JK,

Your links to Auckland and Blues rugby are enduring and no one will question your loyalty to the region.

Please, though, take that allegiance and examine the effects of that devotion. You've worked relentlessly and put all your energy into the past three seasons and come away with the lowest winning percentage of any Blues coach in the team's 20-year history.

A coach is only one piece of the rugby jigsaw and rogue results can influence short-term trends. However, a winning ratio around 35 per cent across three seasons is not job retention collateral.

In April, the Blues board was unanimous. Kirwan's time was up, the franchise had to make another shift.

Then the political machinations, which are so prevalent in the Blues region, kicked up a gear and a rescue plan was hatched. Tie Kirwan to some extra tuition from Wayne Smith and hire Tabai Matson to take over after that.

Half the board fell for that scheme and changed their vote while Auckland's delegates stayed firm. Proposals, ideas and options have been floated ever since as the impasse continues.

The Matson plan fell over and now there's a scheme to persuade Tana Umaga to fill that crossover role next season and become coach as Kirwan eases his way into some director of rugby role.

JK, as you know, rugby coaching is a cyclical business and there is a time when players do not respond or a coach is not getting through to his squad any more.

You have a knack for getting on with a diverse group of people and continue to be involved with a wide range of businesses, charities and worthy causes around Auckland. Expand those interests and scale down the coaching. Enjoy your footy but make it a passionate interest rather than your job.

If you step aside, your mana will rise once more in Blues territory and you can ease the pressure-cooker life you must be living.

Only Graham Henry - in three years when he had a top-class squad, then Peter Sloane - when he had whiz-bang wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca - have succeeded with the Blues. Jed Rowlands, Gordon Hunter, Frank Oliver, David Nucifora and now you have struggled to get enough traction.

You need lots of ducks to be in a line - the franchise-holders to be in unison, player retention and contracting processes, strong assistants, some luck, flexible planning, more luck and a stack of coaching talent.

JK, you've had your second crack at this. You've given it plenty but think about the good of the franchise and step aside. Let others try to sort out the enigma that is the Blues.

Yours, Wynne