Ian Kirkpatrick: The Greatest All Black Blindside

Kirkpatrick is widely regarded as one of the greatest flankers to have ever played the game. His try-scoring ability was astonishing; at the time Kirkpatrick played rugby, it was rare for forwards to score tries, but his 16 test tries were an All Black record until Stu Wilson surpassed it in 1983. He also captained the All Blacks and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2014.
Enjoy this tribute to the greatest All Blacks Blindside: Ian Kirkpatrick.

[@thefobbie0034]

This is evidence as to why we cannot ignore players from any era when it comes to the GOAT question!

[@steffanhoffmann]

Absolutely correct

[@kyleharrington2646]

Wonderful player great brain and could mix it with the Boks !!!

[@iverson5164]

Seen him the other day getting a coffee, he still looks fit to go!

[@ungarr]

Absolutely the best we’ve ever had

[@MeanAzz_13]

Should have stood up for Keith but turned his back, something he himself has admitted and wished he did.

[@tonylittle3508]

Yep. And I still have Bruce Robertson as the greatest AB center. A different era, when the guys went to work 5 days a week, a couple of trainings maybe, a game on Saturday and Sunday recovering from being "on the piss' as they used to say. Not professional full time athletes, and no where near the number of top end games. You would have AB's playing club rugby many weekends. So it is difficult to make comparisons, almost a different game, and certainly a different world. Buit some names should never be forgotten, such as McRae & Davis when talking about great center combinations, Jarden and Williams as wingers. Probably no one alive saw Nepia play at his peak, those over 100 years old would have been very young children. My dad was a rep player and spoke highly of Bob Scott and Johnny Smith, guys he probably played against, but before my time.

[@nzkiwi1953]

I agree with everything you said. On comparisons, I think of pure rugby ability and many of the great players from the past would do fine in the current era. Peter Whiting and Ian Kirkpatrick would be pretty handy in todays games and I could name a hell of a lot more players from the past who were great rugby players.

[@paulsmith3966]

For me, Michael Jones remains the yardstick.

[@steffanhoffmann]

Earl Kirton would be in the mix I think mate.

[@rbjohmson77]

Kirky from halfway. Best solo try ever!

[@stevehughes1510]

The good old days and a much more entertaining and somewhat sensible time in rugby, away from TMO's and new 'safety rules' BS.

[@patrickgrogan3578]

Back then in South Africa the locks were numbers 5 and 6 the loosies were 4, 7 and 8 that try in against the lions in 71 that try was and still is my most favorite try and memory.

[@MarsFKA]

Kirkpatrick said that try against the Lions was probably his best-known, but he always considered that his most important try was against the Springboks in the Second Test in 1970.

[@jaiguy6962]

Wicked videos bro💪

[@robdykes3659]

Long before Sonny Bill/ jonah Lomu Kirkpatrick did the off loading breaking tackles and storming over people, it just the whole world wasn't watching on tv for it to be admired

[@steffanhoffmann]

Before I viewed it? Graham Mourie crossed my mind. After looking at it 3 times, not only is he the greatest flanker, he could be the greatest 2nd row 😉 In the bloody 🌏 mate! Salutations from a Bok. Living in Kensington and Chelsea; in London. Moved here aged 12. Father's engineering job. Best UK winger I've seen, isn't Gerald Davies or J J Williams, or even the big guy, who caused problems with ABs. Mister John Bevan. No! It's the little dynamo, Shane Williams. RIP JPR. He caused many problems too .

[@paulthomson2288]

To hell with the f@#$kg TMO they have ruined the game. Bring back rucking and the biff.

[@ungarr]

Haha it always brings a smile to my face to see Batty charging in from a million miles out to join the scrap

[@steffanhoffmann]

I second that.

[@johnbeattie3610]

Great video package on an awesome player. Probably doesn’t fit with best ever theme but this “Cumberland Throw tackle by Ray Price - 13 stone wringing wet - on Ian was another interesting bit of Rugby history- kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5Ocd41tgNx-oposi=f03Je6x9f9iwxwF3