Imagine having the skill and desire to run the length of the field without a hand laid upon you, scoring one of the most memorable individual tries in international rugby? Most normal players would have been searching for teammates to pass to, not contemplating scoring at the other end.
It must take enormous self-belief and confidence to score a try like Sir John Kirwan’s against Italy in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. As noted commentator Keith Quinn would say, “it was marvellous running.”
He took the ball from Grant Fox, launching himself from near his goal-line, beating most of the Italian team to a standing ovation from the Auckland crowd for their hero. Astonishingly, Kirwan would score three other tries which were arguably better or just as good as the Italian try, including a personal favourite against Canterbury, a sideline blitz versus Waikato and another against Queensland from his 22-metre line, beating players of high quality.
For the time he was a sizeable winger, strongly built with rare speed and ability who honed his sidestepping skills in a forest of trees.
JK as he is fondly known was discovered by Auckland coach John Hart playing fourth grade rugby for Marist and within a year was playing for the All Blacks.
In a terrific interview I conducted recently with John he told the intriguing story of meeting Hart.
“With my father, I was wearing a nice shirt and tie which was not in line with the butcher’s job. Hart proposed I was to play in the Auckland second grade side before being considered for the A side, which my father immediately rejected, stating it was the A side or nothing. That strength of character impressed Hart and he relented, allowing me to play for the top side.”
So in the amateur days it was a case of working all day then a quick change for training and then the match day. JK proceeded to play for Auckland from 1983 to 1994 and 63 Test appearances for the All Blacks, scoring 35 Test tries and a record 199 first-class tries.
At his peak he had a tremendous battle with Wallaby wing David Campese in the rivalry for world’s best wing.
John Kirwin with Michael Jones in support during the 1991 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Russell Cheyne/Getty Images)
JK acknowledged Campo was his toughest opponent, saying “he was a real challenge.” I also asked him who was the best centre he played outside and he unsurprisingly stated Joe Stanley.
It was during his rugby career that JK suffered from anxiety and depression, a condition which became known as his “black dog,” a label also used by Winston Churchill to describe his “dark moods.” I asked John if there were any coaches who were aware of his condition, he replied,, “No, there was not. I hid all my issues from everyone at that time.”
He was asked to be the focal point in mental health television ads which he was reluctant to do as he was concerned with how he would be viewed, so sought advice from his mother. “My mother asked me if the ads helped just one person would they be worth doing? I had to answer yes.”
KIrwan described mental health issues “as being no different to familiar physical injuries like a hamstring injury, we need to just stop and treat it, it is when issues are left without treatment that problems arise.”
Post his playing days John continued his rugby career through coaching in Japan, Italy and Auckland, unfortunately not matching his playing career as a world-class wing and hero to many. There was also a stint with the Auckland Warriors in 1995 to 1996 which attracted considerable media attention.
As with many players there were peak years for JK and a time in latter years where the form dips. A try against Argentina brought back memories of past glory days. I asked him who was the most competitive, inspiring All Black he played with.
“Sean Fitzpatrick, with Sir Michael Jones a close second.”
Sir John Kirwan was a formidable All Black wing but has advanced his career to be a recognised pillar of strength in highlighting mental health issues. He established the Sir John Kirwan Foundation to help young people understand mental health better.
His “Mitey” project has been implemented to help educate children on how to obtain and maintain great mental health. He confirmed that “200 schools have introduced the programme, but we are aiming for 1400 schools.”
“Mitey is designed to help turn around the shocking suicidal figures in New Zealand.”
