John Kirwan - All Black Power

Kirwan played for Marist Brothers Old Boys RFC and Auckland domestically, winning 142 caps with the latter during an era when the side dominated the NPC and Ranfurly Shield.
From 1985 to 1989 he also played in Italy, with Benetton Treviso, where he won the Italian championship in 1989. Also in the Treviso team was the All Black Craig Green, Kirwan's teammate in the 1987 World Cup won by New Zealand.
After his spell in rugby league, he finished his rugby union playing career with NEC in Japan from 1997 to 1999.
Kirwan played 63 test matches for New Zealand from 1984 until 1994. Kirwan played a major role in the All Blacks' 23-test unbeaten run from 1987 to 1990, including winning the 1987 World Cup. He scored 10 tries in five tests against Wales and Australia during 1988. In all he scored 35 test tries for New Zealand. He also scored 67 tries in all appearances with the All Blacks (including non test matches) which is still the national record. His total of 199 first class tries remains a New Zealand record.
Kirwan was selected as one of the "Five players of the year" for the 1985,1986, 1987 and 1988 seasons, in the Rugby Almanack of New Zealand.
In 1986 Kirwan and David Kirk were the only All Blacks not to join the 'rebel' New Zealand Cavaliers team that travelled to apartheid-era South Africa after a New Zealand court held that the All Blacks' playing in that country would be inconsistent with their mission of promoting rugby. As a result, he and Kirk were the only ones not barred from playing with the All Blacks after the tour.

[@flightofthefatman]

His support play, running angles, pace and swerve were world classs. Made it look all so easy. 😎👍

[@corkcollins]

John Kirwan is a true legend in the rugby world his tries were just beautiful to watch. His skills set was superb.😊👍🏾

[@MrLinwood68]

I was one of his “friends” he talks about at Lancaster Park @4.50. Yeah we hated him because we knew he was special. Not sure if Naas got the same when he was playing against WP at Newlands. Thanks again Real Rugby!

[@blaquenguni9249]

There are so many legendary modern players that had that elusive hip swerving running style of Kiriwin, but watching him feels like seeing the original model. Ben Smith, Henry Honnibal, Will Jordan and many others I'm forgetting have thay running style but it feels different when he's doing it.

[@Ringadingding-y3i]

Crickey. The AB's in 87 were simply devastating. Ten years ahead of everyone else. The fluidity and speed is a sight to behold watching now. Dangerous man.

[@keleniengaluafe2600]

❤❤❤❤my hero while growing up playing rugby in my highschool years,,,

[@julientihema4851]

First of the big modern wingers

[@silvergold9084]

Geez, I forgot how fast and explosive he was, his side stepping was sublime...

[@zabaleta66]

Young Kirwan was just astonishingly awesome.

[@tamalotopa]

He was truly an amazing winger

[@fiji82bad]

He was my hero growing up. Thanks for the memories JK🙏

[@bobomac8330]

Better game back then, modern game is a bit ordinary

[@PaniKahukiwa-ob5jm]

My childhood hero but man he made scoring tries in the corner look awkward 😂

[@puhigeoffreywaynefuimaonok8656]

yeah John Kirwan tooo much bro

[@jacqloock]

So impressive when he’s not mic’ed up.

[@RuebenDale]

Goat

[@wallieveldtsman300]

Wonder if John still get nightmares over that perfect dummy past try by Danie Gerber ......beautiful to watch

[@godisbollocks]

8:40 What's with the American commentary?

[@gilianchauvel1997]

💪💪🏉🏉😎😎🏆🇳🇿

[@stefwessels955]

Good player.. Really terrible commentator.

[@wynandvanzyl8798]

It's just a shame he turned out to be such a narcissist on the view with Jeff Wilson.

[@merlin5420]

💤💤💤

[@johnsmith-dq1mu]

Great Era💯 fantastic players, Thx Real Rugby 🏉

[@seymorbutts1027]

We are all narcissist in some way, keep it real Karen.