Tana’s turnaround

IT was Einstein who opined that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The great thinker probably never watched a game of rugby but he could probably empathise with the Blues’ long-suffering fans.

Despite signs that progress is being made in Auckland by secondyear coach Tana Umaga, the Blues again came up short of their own, their fans’ and everybody else’s expectations in a Super Rugby competition where success is measured squarely on the playoff mark.

For the second year in a row four of New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises qualified for the post-season. For the second year in a row the Blues were not among them. They remain the great underachievers of a Kiwi game that may never have been stronger across the board.

It’s six years since the Blues last tasted post-season play in Super Rugby (2011) and 14 years since they lifted the final of their three championships (2003). Since that crowning moment they have made the playoffs just two of 14 seasons.

For New Zealand’s largest producer of young rugby talent, the country’s most populous region and a place where a fair chunk of the nation’s wealth resides, this simply is not good enough.

But there is at least a glimmer of hope. Some glimpses that a corner may have been turned and, under Umaga, this franchise might at least be recognising some of its fundamental shortcomings. Progress is slow – even Umaga admits that – but the win-loss record over the last two seasons in the brutal New Zealand conference suggests the Blues are edging closer towards respectability.

Last season the Blues won eight, drew one and lost six and finished 11th on the table. This year they had one less victory, one more defeat, and finished ninth overall (with the eighth most points). This represents progress from their three victories in 2015 and four in 2012, which bookended modest marks of 6-10 and 7-9 in ’13 and ’14.

Long story short. These are not halcyon days for Blues rugby.

There was hope this year, too. Sonny Bill Williams had been recruited. Augustine Pulu too. The Ioane brothers were emerging, and the likes of Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Patrick Tuipulotu were core All Blacks on top of their games.

But they just couldn’t win the close ones. They had five losses and a draw in their six conference ‘derbies’, with four of those defeats by single-figure margins. And, of course, they inexplicably imploded in Tokyo last weekend in easily their worst performance of the season.

‘‘We blooded a lot of young players and that is what will get us success in the future,’’ Umaga said of the campaign. ‘‘We were not happy with the way we ended but it was another step forward from last year. We’d like to make [those steps] in threes and fours but we’re doing it in ones and twos, and it’s slow progress.’’

Former Auckland and All Blacks coach John Hart admits it’s been tough watching the lack of tangible success in his home franchise for the last decade. But he warns against any knee-jerk reactions against the process that Umaga has started.

‘‘He’s very committed, he has worked hard, and he has made progress,’’ Hart told Sunday News. ‘‘He got let down pretty badly in Japan. I was devastated watching that because it was a very average performance. If Japan hadn’t happened you might have given him a tick for improvement. But you’ve got to give the benefit of the doubt to the coach and let him keep working on what he’s doing.’’

There is hope. Umaga is bringing in Otere Black to address the long-time issues at No 10. There is also anticipation that youngster Stephen Perofeta can emerge as a quality first five-eighth in time. They would also benefit greatly from a full season of Williams doing his thing.

Hart likes the moves at 10, and recognises Pulu as a much needed injection of class in the allimportant spine, but has concerns over the holes that Luatua and Faumuina will leave.

‘‘They have been glue guys in the pack. Luatua had a good year and Faumuina a very good year, and they’re going to be hard to replace. If I had a concern, I don’t see leaders standing up. That’s an issue for the Blues, and one that impedes their progress.’’

Hart doesn’t go there, but you could add mental toughness and culture to the key weaknesses. Plus some major systematic shortcomings.

Talent alone doesn’t cut it at this level, nor a coach considered one of the bright young minds in the Kiwi game. But the Blues have never developed the identity, passion and belief in themselves that is a hallmark of the other Kiwi franchises. Nor the leadership and mental strength to see them home in the close ones.

Umaga remains content in his role and says he will be judged at the end of his third and final term. ‘‘We all realise this is a resultsdriven game,’’ he adds. ‘‘As long as we keep improving, hopefully I’ll keep putting opportunities up for myself.’’

But Umaga alone can’t fix a system that is broken. Where does all the talent in this region go? Why do so many locally produced players fare better elsewhere? Why are the three feeder unions not united behind their franchise? Umaga can help the process, but he needs help if the great pretenders are ever to become contenders again.

He got let down pretty badly in Japan. I was devastated watching that because it was a very average performance.’ JOHN HART