Latest news with #DuPlessisKirifi
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Du'Plessis Kirifi keen to add to All Blacks openside legacy
Du'Plessis Kirifi didn't have much time to think about his first All Blacks start. He was thrust into the run on side moments before kickoff in the third and final test against France in Hamilton after Luke Jacobson was a late withdrawal. Kirifi would start at openside, with captain Ardie Savea switching to No.8. "To play any game for the All Blacks is special, but to be told you're starting out of the blue, you don't have enough time to really react," Kirifi said. "But when you get a moment in the changing room before you run out, I think it starts to sink in that you're going to be wearing the No.7 jersey for the All Blacks." Du'Plessis Kirifi scores against France. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Openside flanker is one of the most scrutinised positions in the All Blacks and whoever wears the No.7 jersey will inevitably be compared to the likes of Richie McCaw and Sir Michael Jones. "Then there's a little pressure of who has gone before and who has worn that jersey in the past," Kirifi said. "I hope that tonight in the tinniest way possible that I could help out and benefit the (All Blacks) No.7 legacy." Kirifi insisted he wasn't overwhelmed by the late call up to the starting XV, though he said it was always bittersweet when it was because of an injury to another player. "We're all professionals and we're all prepared to play. In the first test Damian McKenzie came on one minute into the game. You're always prepared for that situation. Whether or not it happens is another question. "Obviously I'm gutted for Luke (Jacobson). He's worked extremely hard to get back into the environment and into the starting jersey." Du'Plessis Kirifi celebrates with Ruben Love. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Kirifi said you had to prepare as if you were going to play 80 minutes. "Physically, you're still getting the work done throughout the week. Mentally, I think if you let yourself fall into the trap of 'I'm only going to come on for 10 or 20 minutes', then when something like tonight happens, you're caught out," Kirifi said. "As we've seen throughout the week we've had multiple injuries in our back line. So Will Jordan, who wasn't even supposed to be playing, is now starting (late replacement for Rieko Ioane). That's the reality of contact sport. Prepare to play and if the time comes you're ready." Kirifi not only made his first test start but also scored a try in the All Blacks come from behind 29-19 win, which sealed a 3-nil series sweep . "Obviously it's pretty cool to get your first test try for the All Blacks," Kirifi said. "A pretty typical No.7 try. A bit opportunistic there at the end of a loose ball... I was just extremely lucky on the back of a good kick and a good chase. "A cool moment getting the first meat pie (try), but I was just really glad that the pressure we were applying throughout that second half found a way to turn into points." Du'Plessis Kirifi of New Zealand celebrates his try, New Zealand All Blacks v France. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Kirifi and the All Blacks will have a small break before turning their attention to the Rugby Championship. The squad is named early next month, with the All Blacks first game in Argentina on 17 August. Kirifi was honest in his assessment about how much he had learned after three weeks of test rugby. "I'm not going to lie. Not a lot," Kirifi said. "You always know it's a step up and you try to prepare as best as possible. Whether or not you're prepared is another question. "I've always been aware of the intensity, the physicality and the level up that it is. My job and the challenge for me is to just continue to keep growing and trying to reach that intensity and that level accurately." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Robertson relieved as All Blacks survive fierce France challenge
New Zealand took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as an under-strength France faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one. Robertson commended the "gallant" performance of the tourists, who had left most of their best players at home. "They've come over here to our beautiful winter and put on a performance like that. They'd be very proud," Robertson told reporters. "We'll be better for the experience as a group. Ten points down at one stage and we found a way, played some really good footy and we're better for it." France's bigger forward pack and greater physical commitment helped them dominate the first half. The visitors led 10-0 early and then 19-10 on the stroke of half-time before centre Anton Lienert-Brown scored a key try to reduce the deficit at the break to two points. The hosts played with greater energy in the second half, keeping France scoreless and creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts. Captain Ardie Savea admitted his New Zealand side, featuring 10 starting changes, were caught off guard. "We got kind of punched in the nose in the first half and then, you know, we came back in the second," Savea said. "We were able to build phases and build pressure. We converted it into points." The victory sealed a series in which France were highly competitive despite their depleted squad. They lost a combative first Test 31-27 in Dunedin but were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington. "I'm really proud of the boys, the effort we put in today," said France lock Joshua Brennan. "It's a shame we lost but we played against a great All Black team and I'm just proud of the performance." Courage not enough "These last two weeks, the way we've evolved our rugby as well, I'm really proud," added Brennan. New Zealand have swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018. "We hung on, we were courageous, but at this level, it's not enough unfortunately," France wing Theo Attissogbe told Canal Plus television. "So we have to be realistic, we're leaving with three defeats, but we're going to continue to work hard and we'll see what we're lacking to reach the level of the best in the world." France scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec crossed early for the first of his 16 points, darting down the blind side from a lineout drive. His conversion and a penalty goal put the visitors 10 points clear before All Blacks wing Will Jordan struck against the run of play, chasing down a clever kick from scrum-half Cortez Ratima to score his 42nd try in 44 Tests. France scored two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal by fly-half Antoine Hastoy. The home side finally edged ahead 22-19 when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try. Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 metres to score the final try and seal the match in the dying minutes.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks complete clean sweep against France
Du'Plessis Kirifi scores the go-ahead try against France, on Saturday night. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ France opened the scoring, with halfback Nolann Le Garrec diving over from close range, after a lineout drive near the All Blacks tryline. They extended their lead to 10-0 with a penalty goal midway through the first half, but the All Blacks struck back almost immediately, with halfback Cortez Ratima kicking into space and wing Will Jordan winning the race to the ball to score next to the posts. Du'Plessis Kirifi after scoring a try. Photo: Brett Phibbs / The try was converted, reducing France's lead to 10-7, but the tourists snapped a drop goal to make it a six-point game. The All Blacks were the next to score with a penalty goal, but the visitors soon restored their advantage with a penalty of their own, before kicking another to go ahead 19-10. The hosts would score a controversial try to midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown well after the halftime hooter to cut France's lead to 19-17 at the break. There looked to have been a clear forward pass in the lead-up to the try, but the referee and touch judges missed it, much to the annoyance of French fans at FMG Stadium The first points of the second half weren't scored until the 58th minute, when All Blacks flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi dotted down for a try, after Sevu Reece stripped a French player of the ball in the in-goal area. The All Blacks led for the first time, with the unconverted try putting them ahead 22-19 with 20 minutes to go. They extended their lead to 29-19 with a converted try to debutant and reserve hooker Brodie McAlister, and the score wouldn't change from there, as the hosts claimed a scrappy victory at Kirikiroa. See how it unfolded: All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (vc), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Ruben Love. Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Dalton Papali'i, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Will Jordan France : 1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Pierre Bourgarit, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7. Joshua Brennan, 8. Mickaël Guillard, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Antoine Hastoy, 11. Gabin Villière, 12. Gaël Fickou (c), 13. Nicolas Depoortère, 14. Théo Attissogbé, 15. Léo Barré Bench: 16. Gaëtan Barlot, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifénua, 20. Killian Tixeront, 21. Pierre Bochaton, 22. Thibault Daubagna, 23. Émilien Gailleton
RNZ News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Special jersey going to a special place for new All Black Du Plessis Kirifi
Du Plessis Kirifi. Photo: Marty Melville / The blood-stained jersey from Du Plessis Kirifi's first All Blacks test is going to someone special. The 28-year-old Hurricanes loose forward realised a near life-long dream in Dunedin on Saturday night when he came off the bench for his maiden cap in the All Blacks' nervy 31-27 win over France . All Blacks loose forward Du Plessis Kirifi. Photo: Peter Meecham Kirifi said it was everything he'd hoped it would be. "Yeah, it was. Just the whole night you know, the bus, getting ready in the changing room for the first official time. The national anthem, what a proud moment. Being able to do that, representing your country in front of your country, is special," Kirifi said. "Then to be able to perform the haka, that's something you used to do when you're seven, eight, nine, 10 years old. Heaps of special moments. Playing alongside some lifelong friends of mine and also winning and being able to go into the crowd and see my mum and dad. "Plenty of special moments tonight and (test rugby) was everything I expected it to be. It was bloody hard as well." The white collar of Kirifi's All Blacks jersey was stained with blood from a cut to his ear, a sign of just how tough the introduction to international rugby can be. That jersey is destined to become a special memento for Kirifi's father Jack, who encouraged him to turn down a lucrative offer to play in Japan to have one last crack at making the All Blacks. "It's going to get framed and it's probably going to my dad and then up in the hallway (at Kirifi's parents home in Taranaki). Unwashed, definitely unwashed." Du Plessis Kirifi of New Zealand is hugged by his parents (Donna and Jack) in the stands after debuting for the All Blacks. Photo: Peter Meecham Kirifi could have been forgiven for being a bundle of nerves before his first test for the All Blacks, but he said his past experiences helped him stay calm. "I guess one of my points of difference is that I'm not 21, 22 anymore. I've been doing this for nine-odd years," Kirifi said. "So although it was my debut and I had a little bit of nervous anticipation around playing, that was coupled with a lot of belief and confidence in my work ethic and my ability to just do my job." Kirifi wasn't surprised by how well the French played, despite being well understrength with eight debutants in the side. The visitors had been all but written off by most pundits, but Kirifi said the All Blacks knew they'd be hard to beat and said he was given a lesson on the French team's physicality during one of his first touches of the ball. "I'm not sure if there was a gap there for me because I got smoked by a couple of big French boys," Kirifi said. "Sometimes you're going to be running into a brick wall. It's not always going to be a soft shoulder or a gap. I'm just glad we could build another phase off of that one because I think I was going backwards for a second there. "You expect absolutely nothing less. It's international rugby, test rugby and they've (France) travelled a long way. They're not going to make that massive trip and and not put their best foot forward." Kirifi, who has now achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an All Black, said he has a lot of people to thank. "Plenty of texts and phone calls left unanswered at the moment. I'll slowly get back to people, but I'm definitely feeling the love, not just from around New Zealand, but also the world." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Big night looms for Otago's new All Blacks
Dunedin is gearing up to host the first All Blacks test of the year and local fans are confident the home side can take care of a depleted French team in Ōtepoti. A couple of local players will also debut at a soldout Forsyth Barr Stadium, making the occasion even more special for them and their families. Kings High School rugby players performed a stirring haka to welcome a trio of All Blacks to their school for some skills and drills, with the teenagers happy to come to college in the holidays for the chance to meet the players. One of those players was uncapped Hurricanes loose forward Du Plessis Kirifi, who will make his All Blacks debut from the bench. Du Plessis Kirifi will make his All Blacks debut against France in Dunedin. Photo: Brett Phibbs / "It's good to see so many smiling boys and they are very skilful as well," he said. "It's nice to be back here [at a high school], giving back to the community. It's been a big week of that, which has been nice. "It's been reminding us all where we came from." Kirifi is one of four debutants , alongside prop Ollie Norris, No.8 Christian Lio-Willie and lock Fabian Holland, with the latter pair both starting. Christian Lio-Willie in action for the Crusaders. Photo: Iain McGregor/ActionPress Lio-Willie was initially only in the squad as cover , before he was called up to replace the injured Wallace Sititi, and he never expected to start in Dunedin. "Heck no, no way," he said. "When I saw my name on that screen, I just sort of numbed out. "Don't even know [who] the second half of the team was. It's pretty awesome." While he plays Super Rugby Pacific for the Crusaders, Lio-Willie represents Otago in NPC and plays club rugby for Kaikorai in Māori Hill. He will become the 15th All Black from the club. "Kaikorai is a huge part of my journey," he said. "The coach at the time, Ryan Martin, came up to Auckland, when I was at school, Massey High, and he is the one that got me down here. "I played all of my club footy for them. I love my footy down here, and the club culture and everything. "I'm one away from 50 [games] for the club. It's a pretty special place." All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho takes young rugby players through some drills. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ Lio-Willie looks forward to making his international debut alongside Otago teammate and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland in Dunedin. "We both had our first starting debut together at Forsyth Barr and it's sort of a full circle moment to be able to debut together for the All Blacks in Dunedin again," Lio-Willie said. "I've still got a lot of friends and loved ones down here that have been supporting me since day one, so I'm just keen to go out there and make them proud." Dunedin schoolboys Isaac, Jai and Mason were at the skills session, and will cheer for Holland and Lio-Willie. Dunedin schoolboys Isaac, Jai and Mason will be cheering on the late All Black debutants. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ The trio are confident the All Blacks can get the job done against an inexperienced France team that contain eight debutants . "We'll win easy, yeah easy win, easy win," they said. "We're way better than them. I think the score will be 100-0 to the All Blacks." Holland, who moved to New Zealand as a teenager to chase his All Blacks dream, will also have plenty of family and friends in his adopted city supporting him. Fabian Holland in action for the Highlanders. Photo: Steve McArthur All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the 22-year-old lock was over the moon, when he found out he would start. "From Zealand to New Zealand, he's come a long way," Robertson said. "It's a great story. "He's pretty singleminded to make that call to come over and represent another country in the game he loves, and he saw the All Blacks as the ultimate. "It's movie sort of stuff, isn't it?" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
