Latest news with #Du'PlessisKirifi
1News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- 1News
Beauden in box seat: All Blacks likely to opt for continuity
Analysis: The selectors will probably go for proven combinations in Dunedin but there could be opportunities for two newcomers, writes Patrick McKendry. Not many would have predicted the exact make-up of Scott Robertson's first squad of the year, but guessing his first match-day 23 of 2025, which he will name in just over a week, is likely to be far easier. For all the excitement over the five newcomers in his squad of 33, Robertson and his fellow selectors will almost certainly go with experience against the French in Dunedin for the first Test a week on Saturday. That's not to say a couple of them — and potentially Chiefs loosehead prop Ollie Norris and Hurricanes loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi — won't feature. Much will depend on how the seven Crusaders and 11 Chiefs players in the squad back up after their torrid Super Rugby Pacific grand final in Christchurch last weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams played in that match despite a minor meniscal (knee) tear and may be on light duties next week which could open the door for Norris to make his Test debut off the bench under the roof. Likewise, Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson is unlikely to be available due to his head knock in the final. Jacobson, his face bloodied afterwards, also lost a tooth. As a result, Crusader Christian Lio-Willie has joined the squad as injury cover. Jacobson's recent travails may provide an opportunity for Kirifi, one of the more heart-warming stories of Robertson's squad announcement in rural Taranaki on Monday. At the start of the year, the 28-year-old thought long and hard about his plans before deciding to fully commit to his dream of becoming an All Black, and after being on the selectors' radar for the last three or four years, he is on the brink of a Test cap. Such has been Kirifi's maturity this season as a Hurricanes' co-captain, it is difficult to see him unduly fazed by a potential bench role in the first Test – and his skillset as a proven turnover winner makes him an ideal impact player. The make-up of the bench – and the potential impact those eight players provide – is a priority for the coaching staff this year after they watched the All Blacks spurn halftime leads in all four defeats last year. A blood-soaked Du'Plessis Kirifi carries the ball against Moana Pasifika last month. (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT They were up 20-15 against Argentina in Wellington (a 38-30 loss), 12-11 against South Africa in Johannesburg (31-27 loss), and 9-3 against the Boks in Cape Town (18-12 loss). One of the more gut-wrenching would have been the defeat to France in Paris in November when the All Blacks were up 17-10 at halftime, only to concede two converted tries in 12 minutes after the break to lose 30-29. After missing the previous Test against Ireland in Dublin due to a head injury, Beauden Barrett played at No.10 in Paris and again against Italy in Turin a week later in his team's final Test of the year. Of all Robertson's selections, the name of the man wearing the No.10 jersey will again be the most highly anticipated but it would surprise if Barrett does not start the year as he finished the last. Damian McKenzie filled in superbly in Dublin to help the All Blacks to victory over an Irish team who are probably now New Zealand's greatest rivals after South Africa, given their recent history. But McKenzie, who started at first-five in the first eight Tests of Robertson's first year, was usurped by Barrett after the All Blacks' narrow victory over the Wallabies in Sydney in September and has been forced to play back-up to Barrett since. McKenzie also suffered the recent misfortune to play No.10 in a Chiefs team which lost its third consecutive Super Rugby grand final, while Barrett's form in the second half of the season has been excellent – he was particularly good in the head-to-head battle against McKenzie in the Blues' last-gasp qualifier victory in Hamilton. ADVERTISEMENT Such is Barrett's influence as a leader in the squad alongside skipper and brother Scott, and other brother Jordie, a vice-captain, it's difficult to see anyone other than the 34-year-old, who has played 134 Tests, starting in that pivotal position a week on Saturday. Billy Proctor, in action for the All Blacks against Japan last year, could earn his third cap in the first Test against France. (Source: Photosport) The third back reserve, after McKenzie and back-up halfback Cortez Ratima, is harder to predict but the selectors will almost certainly dip into their deep resource of six midfielders here. Billy Proctor would appear a good fit, with Rieko Ioane potentially shifting from centre to left wing during the Test to accommodate him. Otherwise, the team virtually names itself, with Samipeni Finau almost certain to play blindside flanker alongside No.8 Sititi and openside flanker Ardie Savea in the wake of Sam Cane's departure. The French are bringing an inexperienced 37-man squad for the three Tests, with only six players possessing 18 or more caps – the average is 9.3 per player. With so many players unavailable, coach Fabian Galthie is in building mode - a state that would make an All Blacks defeat over the next few weeks all the more unpalatable. Potential All Blacks match-day team for the first Test against France 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett ©, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan. Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams/Ollie Norris, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Billy Proctor.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
All Blacks name five debutants in Scott Barrett-led squad for three France Tests
Getty Images All Black debutants Du'Plessis Kirifi (left), Fabian Holland, Timoci Tavatavanawai (right) talk with media during the New Zealand All Blacks 2025 squad Announcement at Coastal Rugby Club in Taranaki. (Photo by) New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson raised eyebrows on Monday by naming five uncapped players in his 33-man squad for the upcoming three-Test rugby series against France. Scott Barrett will captain the side, while notable omissions include Dalton Papali'i, Ethan Blackadder, and David new faces in the squad are forwards Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Fabian Holland, and Du'Plessis Kirifi, along with winger Timoci Tavatavanawai. Robertson described the squad selection as a mix of 'continuity and opportunity', aiming to blend experience with fresh talent ahead of the Tests in Dunedin, Wellington, and Hamilton next month."Around three-quarters of the players named today were part of our squad for the 2024 northern tour, which is important because we want to continue to build on the rugby we were playing at the end of last year," he said. "We have balanced that with an exciting group of new and returning players who have performed during Super Rugby Pacific. "For the five uncapped players this is a particularly special day," he added. The All Blacks have also recalled hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and centre Quinn Tupaea, marking their returns after extended absences - Taukei'aho last played in 2023, while Tupaea hasn't featured since 2022. Scott's brother Jordie Barrett and seasoned flanker Ardie Savea named as vice-captains. July 5 - All Blacks vs France, Dunedin July 12 – All Blacks vs France, Wellington July 19 – All Blacks vs France, Hamilton New Zealand rugby squad: Forwards: Codie Taylor (Canterbury Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei'aho (Waikato Chiefs), Brodie McAlister (Waikato Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Otago Highlanders), Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury Crusaders), Ollie Norris (Waikato Chiefs), Tyrel Lomax (Wellington Hurricanes), Fletcher Newell (Canterbury Crusaders), Pasilio Tosi (Wellington Hurricanes), Scott Barrett (Canterbury Crusaders, capt), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland Blues), Tupou Vaa'i (Waikato Chiefs), Fabian Holland (Otago Highlanders), Samipeni Finau (Waikato Chiefs), Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika), Du'Plessis Kirifi (Wellington Hurricanes), Wallace Sititi (Waikato Chiefs), Luke Jacobson (Waikato Chiefs) Backs: Cameron Roigard (Wellington Hurricanes), Cortez Ratima (Waikato Chiefs), Noah Hotham (Canterbury Crusaders), Beauden Barrett (Auckland Blues), Damian McKenzie (Waikato Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato Chiefs), Jordie Barrett (Wellington Hurricanes), Rieko Ioane (Auckland Blues), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato Chiefs), Billy Proctor (Wellington Hurricanes), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Otago Highlanders), Caleb Clarke (Auckland Blues), Sevu Reece (Canterbury Crusaders), Will Jordan (Canterbury Crusaders), Ruben Love (Wellington Hurricanes).
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Hurricanes hoodoo bites Reds in costly Super loss
The Queensland Reds have coughed up fourth spot to the Hurricanes, who extended their winning streak to 10 games and 12 years in a 31-27 Super Rugby Pacific battle in Brisbane. Hurricanes backrower Du'Plessis Kirifi was immovable at the breakdown, helping the Reds slide to a 2-4 record from their past six games after leading the competition less than two months ago. It was the Hurricanes' 10th consecutive win against the Reds since 2013. Victory jumped them from fifth, shunting Les Kiss's side out of the top four by one point ahead of the new six-team finals format. Fourth place is significant, given the highest-placed loser after week one of the finals will still go through to the semi-final. The Reds at least collected a bonus point in the loss, but will need to beat Fijian Drua in Brisbane next week and have other results go their way to regain a top-four berth. Hurricanes No.10 Ruben Love scored in the first minute when a deflected grubber fell into his path, only for the Reds to reply through Tate McDermott two minutes later. Proctor ? FineanganofoTextbook try from the @hurricanes #SuperRugbyPacific #REDvHUR Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 23, 2025 A pair of successful Tom Lynagh penalty kicks - incredibly the first attempted by the Reds all season - looked to have steadied the hosts. But three tries in 10 minutes gave the Hurricanes an 11-point buffer at the break, including halfback Cam Roigard chipping and regathering for a brilliant solo effort. The Reds came out of the gates well, with Jock Campbell busting through to set up McDermott's second try and make it a six-point game. Queensland then went ahead by one after going 20 phases off their own try-line for a brilliant try, finished when Joe Brial carried three men over the line. But knock-ons from Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami, the latter with two men free on his outside shoulder, proved costly. Fehi Fineanganofo planted his second try of the game as the visitors reclaimed a four-point lead with 15 minutes to play. Kirifi came to the fore, disrupting another surging Reds charge when he won a penalty at the breakdown to kill of Queensland's last-gasp effort.
