1
John Hart's plan to end the Blues' 'endemic failure'
By Online Editors
Former All Blacks coach John Hart, recently appointed to the Blues board after a restructure, has revealed how he plans to turn the Super Rugby club around.
"We had a two-hour workshop where the chairmen, CEOs, high performance managers and coaches of Auckland, North Harbour, Northland and the Blues sat down with our board," Hart told Stuff. "I came away very heartened that we're going to look at how we could do things better, how our academies could work better, and how we could co-ordinate better. I don't think a lot of that has happened in the past."
After experiencing success during the early days of professional rugby, the Blues have struggled of late and have failed to make a playoff appearance since 2011. Their ninth-place finish last season was their best since that last finals appearance.
"None of us can hide from the fact that the Blues haven't performed for a number of years," Hart continued. "There was a cohesive approach around the board table to say 'how can we get better?' We want the Blues to win but we've got to be realistic: we're coming off a bad run and it's going to take some time.
"In the past, while there was contact between the top people, there hasn't been a cohesion. We can help with that, but it's the people in the organisation who have to make it work."
Hart believes new Blues head coach Leon MacDonald will be key, with his experience and success with the Crusaders and Tasman earning him the top role.
"He's a bright young coach with a lot of qualities. He was a good player, a good person and he's a good coach. If we all give him space and support he can make a wonderful contribution to the Blues long-term," Hart said.
MacDonald has taken over from Tana Umaga, who remains with the side as an assistant. The pair are joined by former North Harbour coaches Tom Coventry and Daniel Halangahu.
"They've got a really good team. Tom [Coventry] is a very good coach too and retaining Tana brings continuity and knowledge."
Hart is aware that the side won't transform instantly, but is confident that strides in the right direction have already been made.
"It's about getting performances on the field and rugby systems in place to create long-term success," adds Hart. "That's not going to happen overnight."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Israel Folau to make rugby return despite mid-week Lions disappointmen
3
Gregor Townsend: It’s the first time since 2000 that we’ve been to NZ
4
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie's club future appears done
5
Latest Comments
I was introduced to crypto investment by an investor I met on Telegram. I liked the program and decided to join the investment platform. At the beginning, I invested and made profits which I continued doing until the website disappeared. I could not withdraw any funds before the incident happened but luckily a friend of mine that works with FBI introduced me to ( WALLET CONNECT (AT) USA (.) C O M) WhatsApp +(1 (412) 225‑ 5918 ) and they came just in time and assisted me to recover all the money. They did a great job and they were very professional to work with. It's quite unbelievable but it happened. We got our money back through their system assistance.
Go to commentsYes that’s what WR needs to look at. Football had the same problem with european powerhouses getting all the latin talent then you’re gaurenteed to get the odd late bloomer (21/22 etc, all the best footballers can play for the country much younger to get locked) star changing his allegiance.
They used youth rep selection for locking national elifibilty at one point etc. Then later only counted residency after the age of 18 (make clubs/nations like in this case wait even longer).
That’s what I’m talking about, not changing allegiance in rugby (were it can only be captured by the senior side), where it is still the senior side. Oh yeah, good point about CJ, so in most cases we probably want kids to be able to switch allegiance, were say someone like Lemoto could rep Tonga (if he wasn’t so good) but still play for Australia’s seniors, while in someone like Kite’s (the last aussie kid to go to France) case he’ll be French qualified via 5 years residency at the age of 21, so France to lock him up before Aussie even get a chance to select him. But if we use footballs regulations, who I’m suggesting WR need to get their a into g replicating, he would only start his 5 years once he turns 18 or whatever, meaning 23 yo is as soon as anyone can switch, and when if they’re good enough teams like NZ and Aus can select them (France don’t give a f, they select anybody just to lock them).
Go to comments