Former All Blacks legend John Kirwan formally signed a contract to coach the national rugby squad yesterday, the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) said.
The 41-year-old Kirwan, who helped New Zealand win the inaugural World Cup in 1987 as a fleet-footed wing, agreed to a two-year contract effective from Jan. 1, JRFU press officer Yasutaka Nagai said.
Kirwan was a technical advisor to Japan for the final round of the Asian World Cup qualifying matches held in Hong Kong in November.
"We are determined to do our best to win all the matches in the World Cup," said Kirwan, whose team will challenge Australia, Wales, Fiji and Canada in the group round in France in September.
Jean-Pierre Elissalde of France was dismissed from the post in September after he was found to be doubling as general manager of French side Bayonne without consulting the Japanese union.
After playing in 63 Test matches with the All Blacks, Kirwan coached Italy's national team from 2002 to 2005. He was in charge of the Azzurri at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
He also played for Japanese Top League side NEC for three seasons from 1997 before quitting his playing career.
Kirwan upset a number of his countrymen by putting his support behind Japan's bid to host the 2011 World Cup even though New Zealand won the right to host the tournament.
JRFU chairman Noboru Mashimo said that Kirwan met all attributes that the JRFU were looking for in a head coach.
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