John KIRWAN

At a time when Australia were unleashing the talents of the eccentric David Campese on world rugby, New Zealand soon responded by producing a secret weapon of their own, the Auckland winger John Kirwan. Over the next five years the two players enjoyed a ferocious tussle for the accolade of the world's best wing three-quarter and came face to face on many occasions. A bigger and slightly more orthordox winger than Campese, "JK" possessed pace and a lethal body swerve combined with superb finishing ability. Indeed, he would eventually go on to break Stu Wilson's try scoring record for New Zealand, notching up 35 touch downs in 63 internationals to 1994. Kirwan was first spotted by future New Zealand coach John Hart and after several excellent performances in his country's domestic competition quickly caught the eye of the national selectors.

Thus, in 1984 Kirwan was thrust into the national side at the age of only 19 in a successful two test series against France. He was subsequently chosen to tour Australia but injured his shoulder and could play no part in New Zealand's hard fought series win. After tormenting the hapless English visiting side in 1985 in another two test mini series, John was then selected for the tour to South Africa, a trip that was subsequently canceled. He and David Kirk were the only established All Blacks not to travel with the rebel Cavalier team to the same country the year after. The 1986 Bledisloe Cup clash then saw John match up with David Campese for the first time and it was the beginning of a great rivalry. With Campese at his majestic best, the Aussies came out on top in this one, winning the rubber 2-1, their first ever Bledisloe triumph on New Zealand soil. That loss hurt New Zealand pride but JK would wreak his vengeance two years later. (Jon Collins)

The 1987 World Cup represented the coming together of some of the most talented New Zealand players in history and marked the beginning of a three year spell of world domination for the men in black. JK played his full part in the All Black triumph and scored one of the best tries of the tournament, a 90 yard solo effort against Italy in the opening game. Kirwan ran riot in the spectacular semi-final thrashing of Wales with two tries, and then chalked up another in the final as New Zealand advanced inexorably towards the title. Better was to come. A year later John hit peak form in the 1988 Bledisloe Cup series in Australia when again he dueled with old rival Campese. Kirwan was simply sensational in "Aussie Œ88" and exposed Campo's defensive frailties time and again to register vital scores. Indeed, he is one of the only players to make the Australian genius look ordinary and Campese later admitted that the tormenting he had experienced at the hands of JK severely damaged his confidence.

That same season John also feasted upon a Welsh touring side whose own self belief had been severely damaged by defections to rugby league and the hiding they had suffered by the All Blacks in the World Cup. The two tests were won by astonishing margins of 52-3 and 54-9 respectively, results that would have been unthinkable in the heyday of Welsh rugby ten years previously. Over the next year John continued to scythe through opposition defences until ruptured ligaments curtailed his participation New Zealand's trip to Wales and Ireland in the Autumn of 1989. (Jon Collins)

Cracks in the All Black machine began to show during 1990 when New Zealand lost their first test in three years to Australia. Then, after a positive start against England, the 1991 All Black World Cup campaign disintenegrated into a catastrophe as internal divisions rocked the camp. This was to be Campo's tournament and the wizard from Queanbeyan totally eclipsed JK as New Zealand went out at the semi-final stage. In 1992 Kirwan's talents were also not enough to prevent Australia from winning the Bledisloe Cup for the second time in a row. However, self esteem was restored a year later in emphatic style. No All Black career is truly fulfilled without success against the best of Britain and Ireland and JK played in the second and third tests of the 1993 Lions series. The series was won and John was able to add another notable achievement to his CV. This triumph was made all the sweeter with the return of the Bledisloe Cup following victory in a one off test at Dunedin.

The beginning of the end came in 1993 in somewhat acrimonious circumstances when coach Laurie Mains declined to select John for the tour to the British Isles. The All Blacks subsequently lost the only match in which they were really tested, a tense 15-9 reverse to England. Coming second to England at rugby is seen as a national crime in New Zealand, and one can only speculate as to the difference JK's pace and guile would have made had he played. He managed five more caps in 1994 before retiring after the series against South Africa. Perhaps it was apt that he should have ended his illustrious career in an encounter with the "Boks" after the disappointment of the aborted tour in 1985. With a rugby history littered with so much wing talent it would be difficult to say for certain that John Kirwan was the best New Zealand produced in that position, but there can be no doubt he would feature very high on any New Zealand fan's shortlist. (Jon Collins)