Just how tight the Highlanders part of the deal is, who would know? But late last year, Auckland sources believed Fekitoa would like to resume his Super Rugby career in the north at some point.
The chance to play under Umaga, the great All Black captain and three-quarter, is an obvious selling point.
2) Argue the Charles Piutau case again
New Zealand Rugby's intransigence over this is ridiculous. Kirwan's Blues wanted Piutau in 2016 -- even though he joins Ulster before the Super Rugby season ends -- but were knocked back by New Zealand Rugby. These are desperate times that call for desperate measures.
The Blues have been stripped of quality players and star power -- they simply can't afford to cast Piutau off like this. NZR's stance is hypocritical and illogical considering dispensation given to others such as code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams. And Piutau has just been picked in an All Black squad. If Umaga wants Piutau, then he should go to Steve Tew and try to argue a new case.
3) Steal off the Chiefs
Ideas, that is. When Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith arrived at the under-performing franchise, they set about finding players with big hearts. Kirwan liked rhetoric and gimmicks, but the Chiefs used things such as repeat-tackle statistics to promote this essential ingredient.
Steelers coach Umaga has been associated with the Chiefs, and he'll know how Rennie masterminded a massive turnaround. The Blues' new, tough-minded values and requirements then need to be instilled into the region's NPC teams' in a way not overly apparent up to now.
This is not to stifle the NPC teams. But certain traits -- like tough attitudes and high work rates -- must be non negotiable.
The Tana Umaga way has to become the Northland, North Harbour and Auckland way. The Blues have had too many players who aren't able to stay in the battle, week after week.
4) Take Northland more seriously and be genuine about it
Just saying. Might be some benefits guys. Dan Pryor looks mighty handy at the Highlanders.
5) Believe in this man and put the cause first...or bugger off
Tana Umaga is the real deal, unlike the previous coach. If there are people on the Blues board whose bruised egos are getting in the way of running this ship, they need to quit.
Working on a board is tougher than it looks. There are grey areas, and sometimes it's hard to know which way to jump. For instance: how do you know, precisely, when a situation has reached a crisis point that requires drastic action.
It might look obvious in hindsight, but at the time little indicators can turn into big signposts of hope.
And then it turns to custard again. And then it appears to come right again. Factors not obvious to onlookers can muddy the waters.
There are stressful situations and offence can be received, even if it was not meant to be given. Put it this way: I have a lot more respect for people on boards having had some recent experience myself. But in the Blues' case, it is time to move on.
The pro-Kirwan lobby has been rightly defeated, however it occurred. Chairman Tony Carter, with refreshing honesty, says it has left "personal tensions". These need to be sorted. Quickly. Or else...
