Former All Blacks winger John Kirwan has been named as the new coach of the struggling Auckland Blues Super Rugby franchise, the team said yesterday.
The 47-year-old Kirwan, who also coached the Italy and Japan national teams, replaces Pat Lam, who spent four years in charge of the team in New Zealand’s largest city.
The New Zealand Rugby Union had opened the job up for applications as the Blues lurched through a terrible Super Rugby season to miss the playoffs and finish 12th in the 15-team southern hemisphere’s provincial competition.
“This is an exciting time. I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead the Blues next season in what I hope will be a new era of success and innovation,” Kirwan said in a statement. “I’m also thrilled about coming back to New Zealand and home to Auckland after several years overseas.”
The Blues struggled with injuries and form this season, with Lam forced to field a number of up-and-coming players toward the end of the campaign.
Lam reapplied for the job and had his interview last week, delaying his arrival in Australia ahead of the Brumbies match.
Kirwan, who played 142 games for the Auckland provincial side before he went to rugby league in the twilight of his career, was an assistant coach for the Blues in 2001 before he went overseas and coached Italy from 2002 to 2005.
He was credited with laying the foundation for former Springboks coach Nick Mallett to build on and turn Italy into a more consistent international side.
Kirwan then coached the Japan team from 2007 to last year, and guided them to their first Pacific Nations Cup title.
Kirwan was an apprentice butcher when he was plucked from the third division of Auckland club rugby by then provincial coach John Hart and he made his international debut in 1984.
He was rated one of the players of the tournament at the 1987 World Cup and remembered for scoring a brilliant individual try against Italy in the opening game, then making a crunching cover tackle in the corner during the All Blacks’ semi-final victory over Wales.
He also scored one of the All Blacks’ three tries in their 29-9 victory over France in the final.
Kirwan received a knighthood from the New Zealand government earlier this year for his services to sport and mental health, after he spoke out about battling depression all of his life.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely