Proximity’s Nick McFarlane & Sir John Kirwan release 1987 Rugby World Cup digital artwork 

AUCKLAND, Friday: Sir John Kirwan and Proximity director of design Nik McFarlane are releasing a digital artwork (non-fungible token/NFT), inspired by the All Black great’s famous try against Italy in the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

The auction for the art went live yesterday and will run for a week.

The NFT, which comes tethered to a collector’s edition selection of personalised JK14 Amarone wine is available to purchase via auction on NFT platform www.greatestmomentnft.com. 

On 22 May 1987, Kirwan famously ran the length of the field, ploughing through six Italian players to score a try, taking New Zealand to its first ever half century against another team, in a match that would end 70-6 to the All Blacks. 

McFarlane created The Try, an 87-second collectable video portrait to commemorate the moment, offering only 14 rugby fans and art collectors an opportunity to secure a piece of rugby history that unveils the backstory behind the try and the man behind the legend.

Kirwan said, “This piece of art is about more than just the try. It is a deeply personal insight into what was going through my mind at the time and the long road that led to that exact moment.

“It peels back the layers and shows the full story, which is something I have always struggled to explain with words.” 

Successful bidders will also secure 14 bottles of unreleased and limited edition JK14 Amarone wine, with each label displaying a unique artwork derived from the NFT portrait. 

Nick McFarlane, the artist and creative director for the digital artwork and wine label design, has designed album covers for the likes of The Prodigy, but said this process was something quite unique.

“Art like this can’t be created without a subject who is prepared to reveal their rawest emotion. Sir John did just that.

“The visuals are extremely striking but it’s Sir John’s story that unfolds throughout that is by far the most compelling part.”

“Art like this can’t be created without a subject who is prepared to reveal their rawest emotion. Sir John did just that.

The Try is carbon neutral thanks to a partnership with JustCarbon – a blockchain-powered marketplace that simplifies offsetting carbon emissions and supports high-quality carbon removal projects to combat climate change.

Additionally, the artwork has been minted on Mintbase, an NFT marketplace built on the ‘green’ NFT infrastructure.

Buyers should register their interest to purchase The Try now at www.greatestmomentnft.com.

“We have made sure the buying process is simple and seamless to ensure it is accessible to everyone,” said McFarlane. “Experience with NFTs or crypto isn’t necessary. Bidders can simply register their interest and relax. We’ll take care of the rest.

Mental health
Sir John Kirwan is often best known for his international career in rugby as one of the highest try scorers in rugby union history. What was less known is that during his remarkable rugby career he was silently battling depression.

On stepping down from the international rugby spotlight, JK began talking openly about his battles with depression, bringing the then stigma of mental health into the public arena as the spokesperson for the New Zealand government’s mental health awareness campaign.

It was for this work, as well as his rugby career, that he was knighted.

“Over the years JK has continued to lead public awareness into mental health and wellbeing, and has written about his depression in the books All Blacks Don’t Cry and Stand by Me.

Nick McFarlane
McFarland wears a few different hats. During daylight hours you’ll find him busily working at Raydar, Proximity Network, as director of design.

After hours he produces a wide range of work at the intersection of creativity and innovation. Highlights include solo exhibitions in London, organising and curating groups shows in Auckland.

He designed The Prodigy’s No 1 selling album-cover artwork, And has published several books on the subjects of creativity and culture.

• Original video from the 1987 RWC below