Trying to rouse the sleeping giant
This week Stuff rugby writers will discuss some of the burning questions ahead of a big 2019 – World Cup year. We start the series by asking if Leon MacDonald can revive the Blues.
Something had to be done in a bid to stop the rot. The Blues’ new-look board knew they could not afford to sit on their hands and allow the blazing trainwreck of a franchise to continue on the same old futile road.
Hence why they fast-tracked Leon MacDonald into the coaching hot seat last month, a move which demoted Tana Umaga to an assistant coaching role after three dismal years calling the shots.
It was the second notable piece of news out of the grossly underperforming side since the 2018 season concluded in early August, perhaps a reason for the tortured fan base to believe brighter days loom.
The first whiff of change came in late August, after New Zealand Rugby (NZR) completed an independent review of the franchise’s governance structure, and the team’s 4-12 campaign this year.
It resulted in NZR taking back its 40 per cent stake in the franchise on an interim basis, and a vow from the governing body to form a board capable of digging the Blues out of a hole.
They appointed provincial union directors Kate Daly, Brian Wilsher and Shaun Nixon to the board, joining former All Blacks coach John Hart, Richard Dellabarca, Sam Lotu-liga and outgoing chairman Tony Carter.
In the months since, armed with player feedback, they clearly decided enough was enough.
As theoretical physicist Albert Einstein once said: ‘‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.’’
Umaga couldn’t remain in charge for a fourth year. Not after failing to guide a talentladen squad to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Going 8-1-6 in 2016 was forgiven. Regressing to 7-1-7 last year was frowned upon. Laying an egg in 2018 – they went 4-12 – was unforgivable.
And so it’s up to MacDonald, who initially signed as Umaga’s attack coach on a three-year deal, to make the Blues relevant again.
Dead last among the five New Zealand Super teams each of the last five seasons it goes without saying the former All Black, Crusader and Crusaders assistant coach has a mountain of work to do.
He made his first notable move last week, dumping
halfback Augustine Pulu – Umaga’s surprise 2017 captain – and naming lock Patrick Tuipulotu and flanker Blake Gibson co-captains for the 2019 campaign.
MacDonald, Tasman’s head coach the past three Mitre 10 Cup season, has plenty to work with, as Umaga did the past three years.
Look no further than the backs, an ultra-talented group which includes Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sonny Bill Williams, TJ Faiane and Pulu. The forwards, boosted by the signing of loosehead prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, are also pretty handy.
Look out for Northland loose forward Tom Robinson, who has one heck of a motor on him, and newly minted All Black Dalton Papalii.
MacDonald’s biggest challenge will be getting the group to gel, ensuring the likes of 36-year-old former All Black Ma’a Nonu, who agreed to return to the team when good friend Umaga was still coach, join the cause and help form a united squad.
Ensuring there is no friction between himself and Umaga, who is contracted as defence coach through 2020, will also be paramount.
Time will tell if the Blues are ready to make some meaningful noise, but there is at least hope better days will return.
MacDonald was playing for the Crusaders when the Blues won their third, and last, Super title in 2003.
Sanzaar’s schedule makers have done us all a favour in their match to kick off the 2019 season: February 16, Blues v Crusaders at Eden Park.
‘‘MacDonald’s biggest challenge will be getting the group to gel both and on off the paddock.’’