Field Theory by Hadyn Green

Great news! ( as I sit here in Canada at midnight).

I think JK will bring a similar style to Pat Lam, but with a hard edge that comes from his ABs time and his battle with depression.

Pat Lam has set up a great foundation for JK to exploit.

Nice story

Interesting that he thought that the Super 15 shouldn't exist and that NZ should just have an ITM Cup and then break into a Heinekin Cup style comp afterwards which is EXACTLY what I've been saying for several years.

I think he'll go OK. He was making the right noises in his radio interviews today.

The do need a massive overhaul though from top to bottom. Starting with the top. Dalton HAS to go. He seems as though he's untouchable yet he's overseen disaster at Counties, disaster at Auckland and disaster at the Blues. What else does he need to do to get the arse card?!

The Blues also need to get serious about scouting the best young rugby players in Auckland and offering them a pathway.

I reckon the NZRU needs to seriously investigate an Under 20 style comp like the Toyota Cup in the NRL and have games as curtain-raisers to the top stuff. Get it televised as well. These young kids love being on TV. Only around 10% of them go on to get professional contracts but it's a huge opportunity to them to show their talents and it gives you a chance to see who is up to it.

With the NRL as well, young rugby players see the Super 15 system and see 5 teams that they can break into. With league there are 16 teams that could recruit them. Yes in rugby there is the ITM Cup below as well which they can move into but it's pretty much broke and the pay means that most players need to find another job the other 9 months of the year.

I could easily go on forever and then a bit longer but that'll do.

I reckon the NZRU needs to seriously investigate an Under 20 style comp like the Toyota Cup in the NRL

Could it just be a larger version of the current club rugby competition? Showcase the guys coming through.

I agree that Auckland seems to have rested on it's laurels with regard to talent development. Gone are the days where they can sit back and just wave money at players from the BOP, Hawkes Bay and the like.

NZ should just have an ITM Cup and then break into a Heinekin Cup style comp afterwards

Doubtful, just follow the Sky money trail.
Good idea for the game however. Super rugby stills seems like a manufactured product even after all the time it's been going. Probably the lack of a real regional identity to the team. Piri and Nonu in a greater Auckland side?

Great story. JK went to my school, De La Salle in Mangere, and, much like you, he was/is a hero of mine. I've recently read his book on depression. I enjoyed it, it was simple and personal and had a good mix of the practical and the philosophical. Interestingly, the failings of the Auckland side haven't translated into the ABs. Aucklanders used to claim when they were strong, so too were the ABs.

JK as an Auckland Rep and AB possessed a cast iron determination, in his time with the Warriors he was the top try scorer.

Auckland in a number of games didn't lose by much - I am sure they will rebound well next season provided JK gets an environment that supports the training of a winning team.

Pat Lam has set up a great foundation for JK to exploit.

Not sure how you came to that conclusion. The Blues have never been this poor.

Good luck to John Kirwan.

JK's been a great All Black, is a top citizen and seems like an all round good sort. But is he a good coach? Thousands of lines written but I have still to see anyone say he is a good coach with a record to prove it.

The training wheels should be when coaching club level - not in Super rugby. This lesson remains unlearned.

The training wheels should be when coaching club level - not in Super rugby. This lesson remains unlearned.

That's not an unreasonable point but recall he's been a professional coach at international level for many years. I doubt the Japanese would beat many Super sides, but the Italians would.

By the same logic Pat Lam is a contender for All Black coach.
Is JK a good coach? What was is record of achievment in coaching?

We all know he is not the elite coach that Auckland (arguably the world's greatest rugby talent pool) deserves. But I can't make the case he is a even good coach and I haven't seen anyone else do it.

We all know he is not the elite coach that Auckland (arguably the world's greatest rugby talent pool) deserves. But I can't make the case he is a even good coach and I haven't seen anyone else do it.

I don't know that at all Warwick though I agree, little of the media commentary has focused on this. Still, I would've thought his years coaching international sides was at least comparable to coaching at Super 15 side - that was the point I was trying to make. I think he's certainly done the necessary time - in fact, probably Hammett and Blackadder had done less when appointed (I could be wrong on this though).

Where did Graham Henry coach before Auckland?

I know he coached two of the best high-school teams in the country (he also happened to be the Principal of the second).

That seemed to turn out quite well, but not exactly the sort of apprenticeship you (Warwick) seem to be suggesting is required for consideration, no?

Where did Graham Henry coach before Auckland?

Graham Henry is the exemplar of a proper apprenticeship.

He coached schoolboys - Auckland Grammer and Kelston Boys First 15s. He then coached at club level - University to the Gallaher Shield. He then coached provincial - Auckland to 4 NPC titles in a row. He then coached Super rugby - Auckland Blues to 3 finals in a row for 2 wins. He then coaches international - takes a lameduck Wales to 11 consecutives victories. He then coaches the Lions. He then pops up as technical advisor to guide the Blues to their 3rd Super title. So that when he becomes AB coach he has a long and impressive record of achievement. As AB coach he then becomes the most successful international coach in the professional era.

probably Hammett and Blackadder had done less when appointed

Hammett and Blackadder both did apprenticeships as NPC/Super assistant coaches and technical advisors. The success in those roles and the added advantage of spending all their professional careers in the very organised Canterbury machine led to their appointments. I still think they got the job early and Blackadder struggled at the beginning.

it is an anomaly, that in a country of elite rugby players where every professional player has 4-5 players almost as good chasing their contracts, the best coaching positions are incredibly easy to get and very hard to lose (Jed Rowlands and Pat Lam were both considered even after abysmal seasons that could be no worse)

I am really hoping that the JK turns up as an Auckland Robbie Deans and I wish him well. Unfortunately his coaching record doesn't back that hope and I think it should.

He coached schoolboys - Auckland Grammer and Kelston Boys First 15s. He then coached at club level - University to the Gallaher Shield. He then coached provincial - Auckland to 4 NPC titles in a row.

Heh. Remember when he left for Wales?? The ARC in their infinite Ron Don wisdom took away his "lifetime" seat at Eden Park. I remember the TV interview where he told the story. He was absolutely gobsmacked they did such a thing.

.........I wonder......did they quietly give one back to him??? I DO hope so.

Ron Don wisdom

Still in practice in the current Blues adminstration but surely they would have?

Ron Don wisdom

I remember as a boy going to Eden Park to watch Auckland play - Ron Don would talk on the PA before the games got underway and people would “Boo” him unreservedly such was the level of disregard he was held.

My wish is that the sports media resist the puerile impulse to exert their “power” and derail the Auckland revival.

sports media resist the puerile impulse to ... derail the Auckland revival

The media may be ill informed and often pay little attention to what actually happens on the field - which is annoying..

But they don’t control the competitiveness of the team which should be the measure of any revival. The Auckland revival is solely in the hands of the Auckland administration and the coach they have selected.

Dr Kirwan is in the house…
I liked a letter in the Press today which said that Kirwan was a great choice “as he has had the Blues before and turned them round.”
Personally I think if you have to cut out rot,
it’s always sensible to use a Sir John…

ROFLnui

Sunday tonight on TV1 had the interview with Ted. Not only did he lose his TWO seats he lost his carpark as well!!

AND

Hasn't get them back....Come on Auckland Rugby. What else does he need to do???

Does JK get tickets now?