Rugby: John Kirwan's head on the block

John Kirwan's Blues have finished 10th of 15 teams for two years straight, and he knows they need a top-six finish this year. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Blues are backing their coach, but his time could be running out

Open season has started on Sir John Kirwan and this week's rumours of his looming demise at the Blues will probably not be the last.

The Blues, winless in their first three matches of the season but with a chance of getting their first tonight when they host the Johannesburg-based Lions at QBE Stadium at North Harbour, yesterday strongly denied a report that they were sounding out alternatives to Kirwan as head coach.

Kirwan, in the final year of his contract, is under pressure for results after two years of wildly inconsistent performances from his team.

Chief executive Michael Redman denied the franchise had made contact with Tasman ITM Cup coach Kieran Keane, as suggested in a Radio Sport report.

In a statement headlined "Blues strongly deny unfounded rumours", Redman said no one from the organisation had approached any other coach.

"The board and management are fully focused on their full support of Kirwan, the staff and team," he said.

Kirwan could not be reached for comment yesterday, but will be highly aware of the need for improvements this season after taking the Blues to 10th of 15 teams in his first two years.

During that time they have won only two competition games away from home.

A top-six finish is generally regarded as a non-negotiable, and Kirwan told a radio station in July last year: "Next year we'll be under pressure because we need to make the playoffs.

"I fully understand the ramifications of that. It's my third year and we'll be expecting to make the top six. There's no qualms about that.

"I want this franchise to win and I'm in charge. So, if that doesn't happen, then people will be looking at what I'm doing."

Kirwan appears to have an able deputy in new forwards coach Glenn Moore, formerly with the Highlanders, a man who has wrought improvements from the pack.

But he has also received a blow this season with the news his loyal offsider Grant Doorey, who has previously been with him as his assistant with the Italy and Japan national teams, has accepted an offer to join new London Irish head coach Tom Coventry from next year. Doorey's move brings to an end a coaching partnership which stretches back 12 years.

Last year former All Blacks head coach Graham Henry and current assistant Mick Byrne ended their association with the Blues, who were unable to attract an attack coach suitable to their needs this year.

Kirwan has taken on those duties as well as the head coaching role.

Keane, heavily involved with the Tasman academy system which, with Canterbury's, feeds young players into the Crusaders, is a former Highlanders assistant coach.

Known as a hard worker with the ability to get performances out of players who aren't necessarily the most naturally talented, he would be a surprising choice as a head coach of the Blues.

He is famously wary of the media, and with the Blues the most scrutinised of the five New Zealand franchises as evidenced further yesterday by the "Kirwan's job in doubt" rumours, that probably wouldn't be a good fit.