Plum understands stubborn Kirwan

 

John Kirwan defiantly insists he's the right man to pull the Blues out of their disastrous Super Rugby slump.

 

The franchise has hit rock-bottom with a fourth-straight defeat to start the season, giving up a seven point lead to lose 13-10 to the Lions in Albany.

 

Despite the calls for Kirwan's head to roll the All Black Icon says he is in it for the long haul quashing any suggestions his job is on the line.

 

"I intend to be here a long time. I think we're in a bit of a slump at the moment but we'll turn it round.

 

"I'm very confident in what I'm doing."

 

Another Kiwi coach, who was in a similar situation at the Sharks in South Africa, is John Plumtree (now the Hurricanes forwards coach) who shares Kirwan's sentiments in that it is not an easy fix.

 

Plumtree went through a similar scenario in two seasons of his five-year stint as Sharks head coach.

 

The Sharks recovered both times to record mid-table finishes.

 

Rebuilding a team can be a longer process than many people realise, he said, and Kirwan is obviously still putting his imprint on the Blues.

 

"He's got a good squad and they'll be looking to get their stuff together this week against us [the Hurricanes].

 

"It will probably bring the best out of them."

 

When he was asked if the Blues coach would expect a contract extension at the end of the season, he was adamant.

 

"Of course I would. I'm here for the long haul, that's what I've said.

 

"These things can't turn around in a day, things like this. Understandably people want results and I get that."

 

Kirwan says even if the results continue their downward trend he would not walk.