Kieran Crowley - All Black (No. 848) & Rugby World Cup Winner
Kieran James Crowley (born 31 August 1961 in Kaponga, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union coach, who was previously head coach of the Canadian men's rugby team. He is now the head coach of Italian side Benetton. He is a former member of the New Zealand All Blacks where he played as a fullback. He has also coached the New Zealand Under-19s in the 2007 World Championships as well as coaching provincial side Taranaki.
Spouse Sue Crowley
Children Jayden Crowley, Nicole Crowley, Casey Crowley
Playing career
Crowley first started playing rugby for his school, Sacred Heart College, in Auckland, where he was in the 1st XV in 1977. In 1979, he was selected for the 1979 North Island Under-18 team and the following year made his Taranaki debut as an 18-year-old, playing variously at fullback, wing, and second five eight. He also appeared for the New Zealand Colts team in 1980, and again the following two seasons.[1]
After a New Zealand trial in 1982 and playing for the North Island, in 1983 Kieran Crowley came into the All Black side for their 1983 British Isles tour. He was a late call up to the side, haven replaced Allan Hewson who injured himself in training prior to the team's departure. He failed to make any appearance in the test side, but did play against South of Scotland team in Galashiels to make his first All Blacks appearance, winning 30–9. He made further two appearances, winning 18–15 and 18–6 against London Division and South and South-West Counties respectively. He gained his first taste of international opposition against Fiji on 27 October 1984, however the All Blacks fielded an All Blacks XV side, and did not award caps for the match. Crowley received his first international cap on 1 June 1985 against England in Christchurch, winning 18–13. He appeared in tests against Australia and Argentina that year, and against Australia and France in 1986.[1]
In 1987, he was part of the 1987 Rugby World Cup winning side, included in the squad as a back up for fullback John Anthony Gallagher, and again he featured in the side for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, not as an original choice for the World Cup, but he was called up after injury to Terry Wright, and played the semi final against Australia, losing 16–6 in Dublin.[1]
Kieran Crowley continued to play for Taranaki until 1994, becoming its leading points scorer and one of the few players to play 200 games for his Union. He was made a life member of the Taranaki RFU in 1993.[1]
Crowley also played cricket for Taranaki in the Hawke Cup and for Central Districts in one season of the Brabin cup (Second XI) competition.
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1980–1994 Taranaki 200 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1983–1991 New Zealand 19 (105)
1980–82 New Zealand colts
Teams coached
Years Team
1998–2007 Taranaki
2007 New Zealand U19
2008–2016 Canada
2016– Benetton
See more at Wikipedia
