David Kirk

David Kirk is a legend of New Zealand rugby. He was the captain of the All Blacks when the side captured the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987. David Kirk RugbyPass Hall of FameAlthough David Kirk only enjoyed a short rugby-playing career (1982-1987), he was highly successful in the sport. After graduating from university, he played domestic rugby for Otago (1982-84) and Auckland (1985-87).Due to his outstanding performances for Otago, David Kirk was first called up to represent the All Blacks in 1983, after only one season of domestic rugby. However, he was an immediate stand out in the side and became known as an “urbane, articulate and thoughtful” member of the team. Due to this, he was always forthright in his views and he refused to join the tour of South Africa in 1986 on moral grounds. 

In total, David Kirk represented New Zealand in 17 test matches and he served as the side’s captain on 11 occasions. The crowning glory of his career undoubtedly came in 1987, when he captained the All Blacks to victory in the final of the Rugby World Cup.Following the Rugby World Cup success, David Kirk retired from rugby at the age of 26. Following this, he studied PPE at Oxford and then returned to New Zealand, where he has stayed connected to the game. He’s currently the chairman and co-founder of a number of businesses and also serves on the Lord Howe Island Board.Due to his services to rugby, David Kirk was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1988 New Year Honours. He was also inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011.