Jim Kearney (rugby union)

James Charles Kearney (4 April, 1920 – 1 October, 1998) was a New Zealand international rugby union player. He was a member of the All Blacks in 1947 and 1949, playing in the First five-eighth position.

James Charles Kearney

Kearney in 1949
Birth name	James Charles Kearney
Date of birth	(1920-04-04)4 April 1920
Place of birth	Naseby, New Zealand
Date of death	(1998-10-01)1 October 1998
Place of death	Ranfurly, New Zealand
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	76 kg (12 st 0 lb)
School	St. Kevin's College, Oamaru
Notable relative(s)	Bob Stuart, Kevin Stuart (cousins)
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Ranfurly () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Otago () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1947 1949 All Blacks (30 (0))

Early life

Kearney was born in Naseby, New Zealand and educated at St. Kevin's College, Oamaru where he played rugby for the school.

Senior rugby

Kearney played for the Ranfurly club and represented Otago in 1939, 1941 and 1947–1948. In 1942 he played for the Brigade club and represented Canterbury. In 1943 he was playing for the Canterbury Yoemanry Cavalry club and in that year represented Ashburton County. He played for the South Island Team in 1947 and 1948 and was a New Zealand trialist in both those years. He played rugby for the army in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1945 and 1946. In the Kiwi army team he played only 11 of 38 matches because of injury. But he did play in the Scottish international.

All Black

Kearney was selected for the 1947 All Blacks and toured Australia, playing in the second test, and South Africa in 1949, playing in the first three tests. In the 22 matches (4 tests) he played as an All Black, Kearney scored 30 points for New Zealand (6 tries and 4 dropped goals) and 9 test points (1 try and 2 dropped goals).