Sitting alongside chairman Gary Whetton in matching Blues ties at Eden Park today, Kirwan, who has signed a two-year contract as head coach at the franchise following international coaching jobs with Italy and Japan, outlined his vision.
The Blues last tasted success in 2003 when they won the last of their three titles. They finished 12th this year and going by this season, in particular, he has a hard task in making the franchise a force again. However, he is understandably excited by the challenge.
"I haven't been this excited since I last made the [Auckland] team in the 80s. I'm ecstatic, excited, about coming home, bringing my family home, and the challenges and hard work ahead,'' he said.
Hard work was something he mentioned often, as was the talent in the region and the potential threats from league and other franchises.
The tricky bit for Kirwan will be translating that young talent into success on the field. It is something that Pat Lam couldn't do in his four years in the role.
"I've done a lot of research into the role, there's some incredible young talent out there,'' Kirwan said.
"I went to the Blues under-18 tournament last week and I think every other franchise was there as well, and a whole lot of league people, but there's a whole lot of talent and this is the biggest catchment area in the country. That's what really excites me.''
Kirwan, 47, sees the challenge as a "golden chalice'' rather than a "poison'' one, but said success could be 18 months away or more from the start of next season.
"Some of our young talent is young and probably 18 months away. We need to work hard. I'll be able to answer those questions a little bit closer to the season. We're all winners, we all want to win. How long will it take? I can't answer that.
"I've got to stamp my personality on the team, I can't answer those questions at this stage.''
Kirwan said he would take on a "big picture'' role at the Blues, with attack one of the former wing's responsibilities. He refused to name his assistant coaches today, but there are like to be three and in charge of forwards, skills and backs.
"It's very important for the region that they are great coaches in their own right,'' he said.
Whetton said the panel of five interviewers were won over by Kirwan's ideas.
"He interviewed very well, he'd done his homework,'' Whetton said. ``A bit of fresh blood, new ideas, new thoughts. His ideas on selection, he's talked about the culture and where he sees it going. He's had success in the region as a player and he's had success overseas as a coach. Putting those things together we came up with John.''
Kirwan played 142 games for Auckland and 96 for the All Blacks (63 test caps) before embarking on an international coaching career in Italy and more recently, Japan. He also had a brief stint with the Blues franchise in 2001 as assistant coach. Kirwan represented Auckland as a player from 1983-1994.
