John Kirwan (rugby player)
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| John Kirwan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John James Kirwan | ||
| Date of birth | 1964-12-16 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.91 m | ||
| Weight | 97 kg | ||
| Nickname | JK | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Position | Wing three-quarter | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| 1983-1994 1986-1990 1996-2001 |
Auckland Marist Benetton Rugby Treviso NEC Green Rockets |
||
| correct as of 7 August 2006. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| 1983-1994 | Auckland | ||
| correct as of 7 August 2006. | |||
| National team(s) | Caps | (points) | |
| 1984-1994 | New Zealand | 63 | (143) |
| correct as of 7 August 2006. | |||
| Teams coached | |||
| 1999-2001 2001 2002-2005 2007- |
NEC Green Rockets Auckland Blues (assist.) Italy Japan |
||
| correct as of 25 October 2006. | |||
| Rugby league career | |||
| Position | Wing | ||
| Professional clubs | Caps | (points) | |
| 1995-1996 | Auckland Warriors | ||
| correct as of 7 August 2006. | |||
| Other Information | |||
| Occupation | Rugby union coach | ||
| School attended | De La Salle College | ||
| Spouse | Fiorella Kirwan | ||
| Children | Francesca, Niko and Luca | ||
John James Kirwan (born 16 December 1964) is a New Zealand born rugby union footballer turned coach. Kirwan who plays as at wing played 96 times (including 63 test matches) as an All Black from 1984 until 1994.
He played rugby league for two seasons in the ARL (Australian Championship) for the Auckland Warriors before finishing his playing career with the NEC club in Japan.
[edit] Coaching Career
In 2002, he moved to Italy to become the coach of the Italian national rugby team, however after a winless 2005 Six Nations campaign, he was relieved of his managerial duties on 8 April 2005.
Kirwan was announced by the JRFU as the new Japan coach on 25 October 2006. He will act as team advisor until he takes up the head coach role on January 1, 2007.
Interviewed by the Daily Yomiuri just after his appointment was announced he said: ""The level of rugby has improved greatly in Japan in the last 10 years and they did well at the last World Cup. But their recent performances at national level have [not been good]. I want to find that 'Samurai Spirit' that all the players can identify with. And then that style of rugby can start to spread downwards throughout the country."
[edit] Trivia
- He speaks fluent Italian and is married to an Italian lady with three children. He also speaks passable Japanese.
- A public figure in New Zealand for the awareness of mental illness. His name appears in New Zealand English where depression may be called "a case of the Kirwans".
[edit] External links
- John Kirwan at AllBlacks.com
- Italian coach Kirwan leaves post BBC News
- Kirwan named as new Japan coach BBC News
- JRFU official report of Kirwan's appointment - October 25, 2006
- New Japan coach Kirwan looking for 'Samurai Spirit', Daily Yomiuri, October 27, 2006
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Forwards: | Benatti • Bezzi • Bergamasco • Bortolami • Castrogiovanni • Checchinato • Cicero • Dellape • Festuccia • Martinez • Ongaro • Palmer • Parisse • Persico • Perugini • Phillips • Rossi | |
| Backs: | Barbini • Bergamasco • Canale • D.Dallan • M.Dallan • Masi • Mazzantini • Mazzariol • Mazzucato • Peens • Stoica • Troncon (c) • Wakarua | ||
| Coach: | Kirwan |
