Tuesday 23 June 2015 08:21, UK
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is the new coach of the Auckland-based Blues Super Rugby team.
Umaga, who played 74 Tests for New Zealand before beginning his coaching career with Toulon in the French Top 14 competition, replaces John Kirwan who stepped down last week after three years in charge.
The Blues and New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday jointly announced Umaga's appointment on a three-year contract.
Umaga said: "I am excited at the opportunity and of course understand there's a big challenge ahead for us all. I know there are a lot of very good players signed on and I look forward to working with them.
"There's no quick fix to turn things around. It is going to take a lot of very hard work which will be my focus. I want to let our performances on the field do the talking."
We understand our fans and sponsors, along with everyone on and off the field in this club are not satisfied with our results, especially this year
Umaga will become the club's 10th coach in 16 years, a turnover which reflects the inconsistency of New Zealand's largest Super Rugby team. Under Kirwan, the Blues finished 10th in the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby tournaments, and 14th this year in their worst-ever season.
Although it has the biggest player catchment of New Zealand's five Super Rugby sides, the Blues last won the title in 2003 and have reached the play-offs only twice in the last 10 years.
Kirwan was appointed on the back of his success as coach of Japan and Italy, in a move aimed at revitalising the team. While he was popular in the boardroom and with players and fans, the Blues' board was divided over the decision to sack Kirwan.
Chairman Tony Carter insisted it was now unanimous in its view that Umaga was the right appointee.
Carter said: "We understand our fans and sponsors, along with everyone on and off the field in this club are not satisfied with our results, especially this year.
"At the same time in the two years since we have been a stand-alone organisation we have developed a solid business from scratch."
Watch the two Super Rugby semi-finals on Friday and Saturday this week.
