Kirwan smiles his way past satirists’ digs

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 36

Kirwan smiles his way past satirists’ digs

The All Black rugby wing, John Kirwan, has not seen the McPhail and Gadsby skit which takes the mickey out of him but is hoping that one of his friends has the television programme on video.

Not that he has the two funny men in his sights. Kirwan, who was portrayed as a slightly thick “Golden Boy,” is a big fan of satire and is not worried that he has become the latest sporting butt of McPhail and Gadsby.

“I would never complain about it. I get quite a laugh when people take the mickey out of me,” said Kirwan in Christchurch yesterday. The All Black star, aged 22, is on a month-long tour of New Zealand promoting his book, “John Kirwan’s Rugby World.”

The book contains detailed coverage of the World Cup plus profiles and the flying wing’s own thoughts on the game. He also has a tongue-in-cheek dig at himself in the opening . chapter: “John Kirwan: the Canterbury crowds have got him summed up pretty well. Too concerned about keeping his shorty clean

and haircut in place. And have you ever noticed how often he leaves the high ball to his fullback?”

The book, which was launched two weeks ago, is selling fast and a spokesman for the publishers expects the first print run of 25,000 to sell out soon. Kirwan said he was finding the promotion schedule taxing and is looking forward to spending time on his surfboard at Waihi Beach before resuming serious rugby training. Kirwan, who scored 16 tries for the All Blacks this year was nursing a bump or two from the recent Japan tour which he described as a very successful foray. “It was good to see the younger players developing in Japan. We were in the spotlight over there and there was a lot of pressure on us from the fans but the players enjoyed it all.” He is already looking forward to the internationals against Wales and Australia next year, saying it would not be difficult for the AH Blacks to be motivated for those games.

“We are not invincible and a lot of our game preparation involves psyching up so Icannot see us taking it easy just because we had a great year this year.” The Aucklander has been sought by rich Australian rugby league clubs but he emphasised that he has not received a firm offer to switch to league.

The going rate for a leading All Black to defect is believed to be about $250,000 but Kirwan said most of the money talk was just rumour. “I have been contacted by in Sydney but

they were all journalists. One night I had 15 on the phone. I am very happy with rugby at the moment, so why change?” Not that rugby league is a dirty word to Kirwan.

“Rugby league goes pretty deep in my family, and I have been a fan of the game for as long as I can remember. I am often on the bleachers at Carlaw Park and I always go to the tests.”

Kirwan played rugby league as a child and his grandfather, after playing rugby for Hawke’s) Bay, switched to league and eventually played for the Kiwis. 1 Kirwan is good friends with both Mark Graham and Graham Lowe and is adamant that if he had a change of heart about switching codes it would not be when his rugby career was nearing an end. . ' .‘■'■'.l’-

“I wouldn’t want ft to be a swansong. If I lever changed It wouldn’t be for the money, it would be for the challenge.” In his book Kirwan says the only time he had been offered money to switch was 12 months ago. “The guy in Sydney offered me $30,000. I just laughed at him.”