AUCKLAND – Despite a surprising win over the Bulls on Friday, the Blues’ poor season continues with Coach Sir John Kirwan’s contract with the Auckland-based franchise still not settled heading into the last month of the Super Rugby season.
It seems terms of the contract aren’t the only issue with the Blue’s board reportedly unsure whether they’re actually going to keep him at the helm moving into 2016
Blues Chief Executive Michael Redman admitted that there had been few decisions made about Kirwan and the Blues’ future and they would unlikely make a decision whether to reappoint Kirwan or advertise his job by the deadline which is the end of May.
“The original deadline was the end of May and ideally we’d stick to that but I expect it will push out now but not far we hope,” Redman said.
“It’s not ideal and certainly the way things played out last week is not ideal for our sponsors, members and fans, but in the end it was always going to be challenging when you’re needing to make a decision and review mid-season.”
The ongoing off-field saga at the Blues continues to dog the franchise with a good case being made against private investment into a sports franchise. It is reported that the Blues’ private investment arm and Auckland Rugby Union remain at loggerheads and refuse to sit around the boardroom together.
The conflict seems to be harming the long-term prospects of the Blues with just 26 spots filled for next season leaving 12 to be filled – and few players in their right minds would sign for a team that currently hasn’t settled on coach