Italy again, says Kirwan

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 56

Italy again, says Kirwan

PA Hamilton The All Black wing, John Kirwan, says he hopes to play in Italy again during the next northern rugby season. Kirwan, a late inclusion in the reserves in the All Black trial in Hamilton yesterday after fellow Aucklander Craig Innes broke his jaw in training, got back to New Zealand only Tuesday morning. Last week-end, he helped Treviso, who also fielded a former All Black wing, Craig Green, to beat Rovigo, 20-9, in the Italian club championship final, scoring a try in the process.

In spite of the controversy surrounding his extended stay in Europe, he said he had “absolutely no regrets.” “I had a great time,” he said. “It was my second season in Italy. I played there in 1985-86, and I hope to go there again next year.” Kirwan said he was aware that there were mumblings about his absence from the start of the New Zealand season. “I was aware of a little of it, because I was getting a few newspaper clippings,” he said. “But I informed the selectors about my position fairly early

on. They knew I was staying through to the end, and they accepted that.” Kirwan said he was pleased to be home,

although he had to miss most of a big party in his rush to get back. The club final was played at 6 p.m. Saturday (local time) and Kirwan took the 8 p.m. flight out the next day. “It was a bit of a disappointment having to leave so early, because the whole town was up raging after the win.” Because of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union’s 21-day residential rule for provincial representation, Kirwan will be ineligible for Auckland’s first division opener against North Harbour on Saturday.