David Kirk World Cup winning All Black
with Matt “ Duck Man ” Austin
I ’ m sure that most of you have heard the story of how Rugby Union came to be . Back in 1823 a young town boy from Rugby School in Warwickshire grew tired of the rules of the football game that they were playing . He picked up the unusual shaped ball which looked similar to an offset oval and ran the ball , thus creating the game , that as they say , the God ’ s play in Heaven .
That young boy William Webb Ellis had no idea of the impact that made in the game that he was playing for the school house team .
Fast forward to 1987 and after 164 years of rugby , the game had a presence everywhere and the first international world cup tournament was launched . The players were playing for the William Webb Ellis Cup .
New Zealand , iconically known as the All Blacks , were led into this inaugural world cup shared between Australia and New Zealand by the 27-year-old All Blacks ’ scrum half David Kirk , who played domestic rugby for Otago and Auckland back in the days when rugby was an amateur sport .
The opportunity to become All Blacks captain came about when David Kirk and John Kirwan were the only two All Blacks players that refused on moral grounds to tour South Africa with the rebel Cavaliers team , this was in the days of apartheid and the players were paid to tour .
It was the opportunity of a lifetime to lead his country known as the Baby All Blacks in this world cup tournament . He led the team to a triumphant world cup victory and will always be the first player and first All Blacks captain to hold aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy .
David made his All Blacks debut in 1983 as a 23-year-old and said the pathway for him back in the day was to play school rugby , work your way into senior rugby , the provincial system , followed by a North Island vs South Island trial and an All Blacks trial to show that you could cut it at the international level . David played with some of the best players of all time such as Grant Fox , Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Jones .
He told me at a sports lunch that he sees the role as scrum half as one that has probably changed the least in the world of rugby , and the professionalism of the game has seen an increase in athleticism and the players are faster .
The backs are bigger , and the speed of the game and fitness and mobility of the players have changed . Some of the brilliant All Blacks players coming through in the position of scrum half since David retired are Justin Marshall and Aaron Smith . David has also
David Kirk in action with the All Blacks and holding the World Cup Trophy in 1987 . Credit : NZ Rugby . takes three seconds now and speed and accuracy are essential . Today you need to be able to run , pass , kick and tackle to be a highly proficient scrum half in rugby .
David believes the toughest players he played against were Nick Farr-Jones , and he played against some tough guys like Richard Loe who played an uncompromising physical style .
David has had an outstanding career for a young guy who grew up in Palmerston North . seen some great Wallabies scrum half players over his time including Nick Farr- Jones and George Gregan .
He has a record that he would rather not have ; he was the last All Blacks captain to lose a test series to the Wallabies in New Zealand back in 1986 .
David said that he believes world rugby and the nations continue to evolve and there is less off the cuff play now compared to when he was playing . He said that the whole ruck breakdown
HARPO ’ s MARKS
My dear old dad first introduced me to the punt back in 1963 , when he took his 13-year-old son to the red-hots at Harold Park Paceway to see the great Cardigan Bay in the flesh .
Can ’ t remember the name of the race , but the Kiwi champion started further back than Walla Walla yet stormed around the field on the last lap to get the bikkies ahead of a top-class field .
Dad did the punting that night – I think his only win was putting four bob on Old Cardy at long odds on – just to savour a winning bet . It was only when I joined the Daily Mirror as a copyboy on March 8 , 1968 , that I truly learned about having a punt ! Everyone on the Mirror sports staff bet – all the racing writers , which included Tommy Brassel , Ken Callander , John Holloway , Harry Pearce , Jeff Collerson and a man who loved a bet more than a bonk – Bill “ Blue Gum ” Mordey .
My punting preference was for the thoroughbreds and my first few years as a young journo were spent on the Mirror Sport and then Sportsman racing staffs .
I had to go to the races , which thankfully back then were only on the Saturday and Wednesday city meetings and at the provincials on a Thursday .
So t ’ was impossible to give the punt a rest !
Many ’ s the times I got on track , determined not to throw the rent money the way of the bookies , when I just had to dip into my kick after getting a bit of “ oil ” from a trainer , jockey or just an urger .
As you mature of course , off goes the pumpkin and on comes a head , and these days , my betting is confined to
Saturday afternoons or if I spot one of my Blackbookers racing on another day .
During my formative years on the punt , the general public ’ s betting was restricted to the gallops , trots and dogs .
Of course , if you were really desperate you could find a game of cards , a two-up ring , an illegal casino or a couple of flies climbing up a wall .
Which finally brings me to what gets my goat . And that is how State and Federal governments have allowed betting to become a cancer .
And talking of cancer – lung in particular - it was one the main reasons why a national ban on cigarette advertising became law on September 1 , 1976 .
Saving the lives of a multitude of folk who believed smoking wasn ’ t good for your health !
Also is not good for your wellbeing is doing your dosh on the punt .
With the advent of growing number of betting agencies in Australia - there ’ s 84 at last count – punting is on the rise , as is the number of people with the backside out of their pants .
Making a major contribution to this punting pandemic is advertising .
Crikey , I reckon a big percentage of television channels ’ advertising revenue comes from betting agencies . So , methinks it is high time governments around the country banned betting advertising . Those bloody ads ! Each , and every one of the advertisements shows people winning , clapping each other on the back and waving winning tickets – not a loser to be seen !
Mmm ! Just had a thought !
What about producing advertisements showing people blowing up when their selection loses , when they get home and tell his or her better half that the renttucker-electricity bill money has gone down the gurgler .
Or watch a child eating a stale bread and dripping sandwich because there ’ s no other tucker in the house – mum and / or dad knocked off the grocery money on the punt !
Oh yes ! And ban betting agencies from putting their names on sporting venues .
The Brisbane , Cronulla and Panthers ’ stadiums are all named after betting agencies .
Fair dinkum , old Penrith Park has had more name changes than the number of times Donald Chump has tucked into a Big Mac .
Slight exaggeration !
Barrier with RiseTONY BRASSEL
EMBASSY looked the goods in showing plenty of toe and fight in winning 1050m trial at Randwick on April 15 . Promising youngster set for successful autumn .
SHAMROCK SALLY was never off the bit in running 3 rd in 1050m in smart time at Randwick on April 15 . Lightly raced and showing vast improvement .
REGAL HARMONY showed abundant speed and was never off the bit when second in fast run 1050m trial at Randwick on April 15 . Unraced American Pharoah 4YO mare ready to show up early in campaign .
CHOICE LEGEND is out of the Les Bridge yard and there was a lot to like about her easy 6 th in 737m trial at Randwick on April 15 . The old maestro looks set to produce another winner .
SHANGRI LA SPRING looks set for a successful debut this autumn going on her effortless 737m trial win at Randwick on April 17 . Showed ton of speed and kicked strongly when asked final stages .
BLUE TONGUE had tongues wagging when never at any stage knocked about in finishing fifth behind Shangri La Spring . Don ’ t let this 2YO debutant get under your guard .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 107 // MAY 2024 29