For former All Black David Kirk, “the two best teams are Ireland and France.”

“ I love France. I love Bordeaux and its wines…” New Zealander David Kirk is in his sixties, with a frank smile and a laughing look. His friendship with France, however, was a little more difficult, on that June day 1987 at Auckland’s Eden Park, when he faced France’s V. Ten in the final of the first Rugby World Cup. Newly appointed as captain of the All Blacks, he led his team to victory (29-9), thereby becoming a sporting legend. The picture of this 26-year-old, his eyebrow still…

“ I love France. I love Bordeaux and its wines…” New Zealander David Kirk is in his sixties, with a frank smile and a laughing look. His friendship with France, however, was a little more difficult, on that June day 1987 at Auckland’s Eden Park, when he faced France’s V. Ten in the final of the first Rugby World Cup. Newly appointed as captain of the All Blacks, he led his team to victory (29-9), thereby becoming a sporting legend. Picture this 26-year-old, his eyebrow still puffed, waving the Webb Cup -Ellis Received from the hands of Lot-et-Garonnais Albert Ferrasse He went all over the world. David Kirk today stops in the Gironde to experience the 2023 race in his host country.

Montaigne lovers

The man resided in the heart of the vineyards of the Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, at Château Puygueraud, the Thienpont family estate. “Thank you to our mutual friend Francis Delteral,” smiles Nicolas Thienpont, host. The former Équipe journalist, who is a member of Canal+’s sports editorial team, will join them shortly. harvest ? “I only used the device once,” he laughs. His program is different. David Kirk is already looking forward to an upcoming visit to Château de Montaigne. This trained doctor, who returned to study philosophy, economics and political science at Oxford after hanging up his boots, is a lover of the philosopher, “the voice of reason in a period of irrationality.”

However, there is no doubt about distracting you. David Kirk will be in the stands at the Matmut Atlantic Stadium, Saturday 30 September, for the Fiji-Georgia match. The rest will live vicariously, on the small screen, before approaching the Stade de France in the final stages. “I’ve only missed one final in my life,” he says. In 1995, on the occasion of the birth of my third daughter. »

“A lot of pressure”

Victory Day 1987 He continues to wear it. When did he realize that his team was going to win? “When I scored a try myself,” he recalls. In the twentieth minute of the second half. We were 19-3. I told myself that France could no longer catch up with us. » Fox and Kirwan earned points for the follow-up. Pierre Berbizier’s effort ten minutes before the final whistle saved the honour. This World Cup changed his life. It was pure joy. And also great convenience. We had a lot of pressure. It was our first World Cup and we were playing at home. We don’t want to disappoint…”

“I’ve only missed one final in my life,” he says. In 1995, on the occasion of the birth of my third daughter.

However, it did not last. A triumphant tour of Australia, as part of the Bledisloe Cup, then departs. “I was at the top, what else could I do?” The man worked for some time at McKinsey before hooking up with the New Zealand government, then getting involved with Fairfax Medias, to name just a few lines from his extensive CV. He is now a company director Bailador Technology Investments, a company he co-founded. However, he never shied away from the environment. Kirk was president of the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association (NZRPA) for twenty-three years, which was keen to manage professionalism in the field.

His shoes are in the museum

David Kirk played a bit again after his official departure. Some matches with French barbarians. This is his last meeting with other graduates, against a local team, in Palmerston North, the city where he grew up. “I didn’t have any shoes,” he says slyly. But there was a museum dedicated to the 1987 Triumph. I called my mother, who still lived there, and who knew the people who looked after it. I was able to play in the boots I wore in the match against France! » The antiquities returned to the museum. David Kirk is still laughing about it…

His World Cup

David Kirk’s World Cup 2023 predictions? As an expert, he believes that “the two best teams are Ireland and France.” The former All Black has high expectations from the meeting between the European rivals. However, it remains to reach the semi-finals. He added: “If things go as planned against Italy, France is supposed to face South Africa in the quarter-finals and it will be difficult.” His view of his national team? “They are fine. But not at the top level. » The mind does not prevail over the heart. Al-Muayad remains 100% behind the New Zealanders. But not only that… “In the other group, I support Fiji,” he smiles.