Kurt McQuilkin

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Kurt McQuilkin
Birth nameKurt McQuilkin
Date of birth (1966-04-09) 9 April 1966 (age 59)
Place of birth Te Kuiti, New Zealand
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight(89 kg)
Notable relative(s) Will Johnson (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) inside center


Kurt McQuilkin (born April 6, 1966) is a rugby union player originally from New Zealand [1] who established his playing career in Ireland. After settling in the country, he joined Bective Rangers FC [2] , where he began making a name for himself as an inside center. McQuilkin later went on to play for and captain Leinste [3] r [4] , one of Ireland's leading provincial teams. He earned five international caps representing Ireland, showcasing his skill and leadership at the national level.

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Early life

Kurt McQuilkin was born on April 6, 1966, in Te Kuiti, New Zealand a town renowned for its deep rugby roots. He grew up in a rugby focused household, with his father, Noel McQuilkin, serving as a coach and mentor. This environment fostered Kurt’s early passion for the sport, particularly in the inside centre position. His formative years were spent honing his skills in New Zealand’ s competitive rugby scene before relocating to Ireland, where he joined Bective Rangers FC.[ citation needed ] The move marked the beginning of his enduring connection with Irish rugby, eventually leading to his captaincy at Leinster and international representation for Ireland. [5]

Career

When McQuilkin captained Lansdowne two seasons in a row in 1997-98 and 1998–99, he was the first player to captain Lansdowne in successive years since Billy Sutherland in seasons 1940-41 and 1941–42. [6]

McQuilkin also played professionally for Leinster, where he made 32 appearances, captaining the side to an Irish interprovincial championship in the 1997/98 season, as well as making 5 appearances for the Irish national team. [7]

He went on to be appointed as defence coach for Leinster and was a member of the coaching team under Michael Cheika that guided Leinster to their first European Cup in 2009, with the performance away to Harlequins being considered one of the best defensive displays by a Leinster team in recent history. [8] [ failed verification ]

McQuilkin left Leinster after the 2009/2010 season, [9] however he returned to the club again as defence coach for the beginning of the 2015/16 season. [7] [ needs update ]

References

  1. ↑ www.vcsnet.co.nz, VCS Websites (NZ)-Lower Hutt and Wellington. "Kurt Peter McQuilkin | New Zealand Rugby History". www.rugbyhistory.co.nz. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Rugby Database: Kurt McQuilkin Player Profile & Stats". www.rugbydatabase.co.nz. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Irish Rugby | McQuilkin & Cowman Join Leinster Backroom" . Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "McQuilkin misses his Leinster 'family' every day - Extra.ie". 24 June 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  5. ↑ doi.org https://doi.org/10.17658/issn.2058-5462/issue-01/conversation/p80 . Retrieved 12 July 2025.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Kurt McQuilkin". lansdownerugby.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Fogarty and McQuilkin Added to Senior Coaching Team : News | The Latest | Leinster Rugby | Official website". leinsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Match Centre | Reports & Previews | Leinster Rugby | Official website : Harlequins 5 Leinster 6". leinsterrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Kurt tackles final battle - Herald.ie". herald.ie. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
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