The photo above shows David Kirk during the
1987 World Cup Final against
France
which New Zealand won 29-9.
Career Record: Played 17, Won 14, Lost 3.
Test Points: 24. Tries: 6.
1985 v England (Christchurch) W 18-13
1985 v England (Wellington) W 42-15
1985 v Australia (Auckland) W 10-9
1985 v Argentina (Buenos Aires) W 33-20
1986 v France (Christchurch) W 18-9
1986 v Australia (Wellington) L 13-12
1986 v Australia (Dunedin) W 13-12
1986 v Australia (Auckland) L 22-9
1986 v France (Toulouse) W 19-7
1986 v France (Nantes) L 16-3
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1987 v Italy (Auckland) W 70-6 (W.Cup)
1987 v Fiji (Christchurch) W 74-13 (W.Cup)
1987 v Argentina (Wellington) W 46-15 (W.Cup)
1987 v Scotland (Christchurch) W 30-3 (W.Cup)
1987 v Wales (Brisbane) W 49-6 (W.Cup)
1987 v France (Auckland) W 29-9 (W.Cup Final)
1987 v Australia (Sydney) W 30-16
(R) = Replacement |
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Urbane, articulate and thoughtful, scrum-half David Kirk was a different kind of All Black skipper and indeed a different kind of All Black. A medical student, David spent time at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, playing in the annual "Varsity Match" and would later develop ambitions in business and politics. As with his academic training, Kirk's rugby apprenticeship was sound, having first toured with the All Blacks in 1983 as understudy to Andy Donald and been a member of the New Zealand Colts side. He would go on to make his full debut in the 1985 home series against England (see photo above 11th. June 1985) and it proved to be a fairly easy baptism. The year after, he was one of a select few All Blacks to spurn an invitation to tour South Africa with the rebel Cavalier side and ended up captaining New Zealand in four tests, including victory over a tough French touring outfit.
However, upon the return of the Cavalier players to the fold, many felt that Kirk was not worthy of his place in the team and should be swept aside in favour of a more established man. The selectors stood firm under media pressure and retained him in the squad for the World Cup. Then chance threw something Kirk's way. Veteran hooker Andy Dalton was the original skipper for the tournament but had to withdraw at the eleventh hour with an injury sustained in training. Kirk was made captain in his absence and famously lead New Zealand to victory over France in the final. His last game came in the same season, a 30-16 win over the Aussies. In retirement David has pursued many avenues, including writing a book entitled "Black and Blue" and television and newspaper work. His forthright, intelligent opinions span many rugby related topics including professionalism, refereeing and that perennial favourite of any good antipodean; the inadequacies of English rugby. (Jon Collins)
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