Was Ian 'Kirky' Kirkpatrick rugby's greatest try-scoring flanker?

Could any other flanker have scored Ian Andrew Kirkpatrick’s famous try against the British and Irish Lions in 1971?

Can you imagine Richie McCaw running 55m in a stunning solo burst pursued by swift Lions backs?

Or Zinzan Brooke fending off three opposition players, swerving around and then outpacing Barry John, Gareth Edwards, and Mike Gibson to score one of the most memorable tries ever seen? The only flanker who I can think of that could have emulated Kirky’s try is the peerless Michael Jones.

Jones breaking through a maul and sprinting in the open to set up John Kirwan’s try in 1988 against Australia had similarities. But he did not score a try like Kirkpatrick’s stunning effort.

Ian Kirkpatrick has a better try scoring ratio per test than McCaw, Brooke and Jones and scored 16 test tries, surpassed by a winger, Stu Wilson in 1983. Kirky was tall, fast, and extremely athletic, a player who would slot easily into modern day rugby as an attacking player.

In his second international against Australia Kirkpatrick scored three tries after coming on as a replacement. He stated,” the warm-up was walking down the stairs at the Sydney Cricket Ground”.

Ian Kirkpatrick was one of the greatest flankers to play for the All Blacks. He had the aura of a gentleman, who was calm and mature. One of the most respected All Black players.

Gareth Edwards wrote in his book, “100 Great Rugby Players”, “I never, ever, saw him do a mean or underhand thing on the field”. Wynn Gray, rugby journalist, rated Kirky seventh, in his list of “100 Greatest All Blacks”.

From a schoolboy rugby star, Ian Kirkpatrick at the age of 20 made his debut for Poverty Bay. In 1967 he and Hamish MacDonald, another future All Black, moved to Christchurch and was selected for the Canterbury team. He was a rugby prodigy and quickly moved through the Junior and All Black trial matches.

He was plucked from relative obscurity in 1967 and was picked for the All Blacks against France in Paris. He became the first All Black to be used as a substitute according to new International Rugby Board regulations. Kirky played 38 consecutive tests, 39 in total, 9 as a captain. He and Kel Tremain were instrumental in changing the role of flanker from left and right to blindside and open.

He was a reluctant All Black captain and led the All Blacks on their 1972-73 tour of Europe and North America. J.J Stewart, former All Blacks coach, said “Kirky did not enjoy leadership” and Kirkpatrick himself stated, “I was probably happier playing without the captaincy, but nobody ever asked me that”.

Kirky was the only player to captain both North and South islands and played 33 Ranfurly Shield matches for Canterbury. After playing 289 first class games he retired in 1979 and in 1980 was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to rugby.

In 2003 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. He continued his rugby career as a mentor for the Hurricanes side and in 2020 was named New Zealand Rugby’s Patron after the death of Brian Lochore in 2019.

One of Kirkpatrick’s greatest regrets was being involved with the expulsion of Keith Murdoch from the touring party in 1972. Kirky wanted Murdoch to stay on, but in a surprise the team was notified that he would be leaving the group. On his way home Murdoch took a detour and ended up living his days out in Australia.

(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

As one of the leading lights in New Zealand Rugby, Kirkpatrick, in 2020, was asked his opinion on the state of the modern game. His opinion was forthright, and he lamented the state of the game.

He declared “the aggressive ruck clean-outs, big forwards defending in backlines, a paucity of space for light-footed wings and fullbacks, and the demise of provincial and club rugby and poor crowds.

His biggest concern though was what physical health today’s players will be in when they retire and then move into mature age. Kirky himself never suffered any serious injuries in his career, and at an older age his body was still in good shape.

One of his solutions to stop the damage caused by big, intimidating players was to “force more players to the breakdown which would not only make the game much safer but improve it as a spectacle”.

I totally agree with him, I hate the sight of forwards lined up beside a maul in defensive formation. What is our game now, union or league?

Comparing Ian Kirkpatrick and Richie McCaw as flankers, the popular vote will go for McCaw of course. A magnificent player and leader. But for me if I must choose by a player’s style my pick is Kirkpatrick. The players doing the “hard yards” and cleaning out, tackling and the dark murky stuff in the forwards are admirable.

You often hear, “Oh he was doing all the tight, physical things and we hardly saw him”. No thanks, I like the attacking players who provide the spectacular moments in rugby. The Michael Jones’s and Kirkpatrick’s of this world.

I enjoy and admire rugby players who play with freedom, are instinctive and are unique. My previous articles were about Bryan Williams and Sid Going, and now Ian Kirkpatrick.

These players all fit into my ideal type of rugby player. Sure, they won’t be perfect and will have losses of form and make mistakes, but they can draw crowds and entertain their followers.

Ian Kirkpatrick is one of the most revered All Blacks, not just for his skills, career highlights and athletic ability, but his conduct on the field. A true gentleman.

And yes, the scorer of the greatest individual try, in my opinion.

Ian Kirkpatrick, another rugby hero.