Kirk foresees few problems today

Press, 22 May 1987, Page 32

Kirk foresees few problems today

PA Auckland David Kirk contemplates few problems, despite taking over the captaincy of the All Blacks at short notice for today’s World Cup opener against Italy. “The team is pretty well organised,” said Kirk yesterday and the captaincy, of course, is no new experience for him. He was the captain in all four home tests last year and has led Auckland now for two seasons in several high-pressure clashes.

“It’s an honour to captain the All Blacks in the first World Cup match but I’m conscious of the fact I’m filling in for Andy Dalton,” he said. “Hopefully, he will be back next week.”

Kirk said he had been “very pleased” with the

All Blacks’ training runs this week but knew enough of Italian rugby to realise that today its side could not be taken lightly. He was the captain of the New Zealand Universities side which in 1984 played three games in Italy, including one against the Italian national team in Rovigo.

“We won the games but not by very much,” he said. "And we had quite a good team. Many of the players played for the provinces and three or four of us (Mike Brewer, Sean Fitzpatrick, Mike Speight as well as himself) have become All Blacks.” The AH Black coach, Brian Lochore, confirmed yesterday that in Dalton’s absence the pack leadership will be taken by Wayne Shelford. “Buck took over yesterday and slotted in without any problems,” Mr Lochore said.

Shelford, like. Kirk, has extensive captaincy experience, having led North Harbour for the last three seasons, the national sevens squad this year and the Combined Services.