Blues rules out independent review

By Lee Stace

BLUES CHAIRMAN Gary Whetton insists there’s no need for an independent review into his organisation, saying the “Blues aren’t broken”.

He feels the current board has a good handle on the issues it needs to work through and that a positive, rather than reactive, approach is needed as it looks to right the ship.

Serious questions have been raised about the Blues following their tumultuous Super Rugby campaign this year.

There is a belief that a wide-ranging, independent review into all branches of the organisation would be perfect in identifying exactly what areas need to be remedied as the franchise searches for its first title since 2003.

But Whetton feels there isn’t any need for that to happen, saying that while results have been disappointing, no-one could’ve predicted what was going to happen this year as far as injuries were concerned.

“If we thought we needed to bring someone in with the right description, then that would happen. But at this stage, it doesn’t need to happen at all. We have the skillset within the board to look at this situation,” he told Rugby News.

“The Blues aren’t broken as a whole. To say there are issues right through [the entire organisation] is completely wrong.”

Some would disagree with that statement following the side’s heavy 59-12 loss to the Crusaders last weekend.

They will point to poor talent identification, saying that only one long-term starting All Black, Jerome Kaino, has been blooded since their last title success nine years ago and that a number of other players have failed to cut the Super Rugby mustard.

Whetton believes there is nothing wrong with the franchise’s development programme.

“People need to delve a bit deeper as far as where we are with our development and what we are looking to do. We’re going to see the fruits of that in the following years,” he says.

While there have been calls for board members to fall on their swords, Whetton is convinced they are the right people for the job and know what areas need to be addressed.

“I know there is a lot of experience and talent on the board and the executive team. It’s just about making everyone understands what we’re about.”

He says it is important that the franchise works through one problem at a time, rather than take a “shotgun approach” to things.

“Things will be happening and they will be visible, but in the right time and the right order. Believe me when I say it is going to happen.”