Players not immune from the dithering

Coach John Kirwan and the Blues are in limbo. Photo / Jason Oxenham

As the John Kirwan coaching saga lurches from one disaster to the next, the Blues players are watching and waiting and feeling increasingly unsettled.

They are not immune to the almost daily revelations. They read what's happening because they have a vested interest in the process which is letting them down badly.

They know things are currently wrong at the franchise under Kirwan yet they, apart from their input in the recent review, will feel powerless to do anything about it.

Many of them apparently felt Kirwan's review score would have made his position untenable, yet he is still in with a chance of retaining his position.

The Herald on Sunday has been told Kirwan's average review score out of 10, but, without being able to confirm it, have decided not to publish it.

It's not high - which won't surprise - but it's understood Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph scored lower following his terrible season in 2013, yet was able to retain his job due to some significant direction around the management of his players who were being flogged at training.

Kirwan's issues are more complex than those of Joseph, who was seen as a good coach - something he's proven over the past two years.

The continuing uncertainty is the worst aspect for the Blues players who have underperformed yet again this season but who showed during their 23-18 victory over the Bulls at Eden Park on Friday they are capable of digging deeper than the opposition.

In truth, that has rarely been a problem for them at their fortress under Kirwan. It is when they are on the road they often look second-rate.

Just as home wins are no surprise, the same applies to away defeats.

The dithering at the franchise shows no signs of abating so the uncertainty will continue. And it will remain even if Kirwan retains his job.

Put yourself in the players' boots.

If another New Zealand franchise came calling, what would you do? And if you were a young player on the cusp of Super Rugby and had to choose between the Blues or another franchise, who would you trust to develop your game?

If Kirwan gets another year, it will almost certainly be his last - with the Blues using the extra time to search for a quality alternative. It will test the players' unity to the fullest.

The most important thing a head coach must sell is an overall vision.

The man-management, analysis, get-your-boots-on-and-coach stuff is important, too, but it's rendered meaningless if the players can't buy into your vision and that's where the Blues are at the moment.

They're in limbo, just as their coach is.