Born: March 31, 1896 – Reefton
Died: October 20, 1968 – Auckland
Test record: 3 Tests (1926-27) – 1 try (3 points)
Tours: 1925 tour of Australia, 1926-27 tour of Britain

Versatile back Jack Kirwan represented New Zealand from 1925-27 after switching codes from rugby union.

Fittingly for a future Kiwi, Kirwan was born on the South Island’s West Coast, but he gained his rugby union grounding in Tokomaru, near Palmerston North, and – after serving in WWI – represented Hawke’s Bay from Dannevirke Old Boys from 1920-23, and Auckland from Marist Old Boys in 1924.

Kirwan joined the rugby league ranks with Marist Old Boys late in 1924, debuting in the club’s championship final win over Devonport.

Nine months later he was on his way to Australia with the New Zealand team. The 29-year-old made appearances at centre, wing and five-eighth (no Tests were scheduled). Later that year he was a centre in New Zealand’s 25-24 win and 35-14 loss to the vaunted Queensland tourists on home soil, scoring a try and being awarded a penalty try in the latter.

Kirwan also turned out for Auckland in an 18-all draw with Queensland.

A regular at centre on the Kiwis’ troubled 1926-27 tour of Britain – as well as making occasional appearances at fullback and five-eighth – Kirwan scored five tries in 18 matches. He lined up in the second (in which he scored a try on Test debut) and third matches against England, and in the one-off Test clash with Wales.

Kirwan’s last match for New Zealand was against Auckland upon the tourists’ return home. He continued to play for Marist Old Boys in 1927-28 before retiring at the age of 32 but he coached the club to Stormont Shield and Roope Rooster success in 1932, while he later served as an Auckland selector.

His grandson, John Kirwan, became a legendary All Blacks winger in 63 Tests from 1984-94 and switched codes to play for the fledgling Auckland Warriors in 1995-96.