The Blues, winless in their first three matches of the season, but with a real 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 for the head coaching role. Kirwan, in the final year of his contract, is under pressure for results after two years of wildly inconsistent performances from his team.
During that time they have won only two competition games away from home.
Chief executive Michael Redman categorically 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 that no one from the organisation had approached any other coach, adding: "The board and management are fully focused on their full support of Kirwan, the staff and team.
"We are dismayed that a media organisation would run this sort of report without attempting to verify its authenticity," Redman 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. A top-six finish is generally regarded as a non-negotiable, with Kirwan telling 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 of the Highlanders, a man who has wrought improvements from the pack, but has already 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 failed to attract an attack coach suitable to their needs this year, with Kirwan taking on those duties as well as the head coaching role.
Keane, heavily involved with the Tasman academy system which, along 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.
- By Patrick McKendry of NZME
