Du'Plessis Kirifi: 'I'm not 21 or 22, there's a lot of rugby under my belt'

Du’Plessis Kirifi is in line for his fourth Test cap this weekend when the All Blacks play Los Pumas in round one of the Rugby Championship, and the flanker is hoping 2025 is just the start of his chapter in the infamous black No. 7 jersey.

While the Hurricanes fetcher donned the iconic jersey in Hamilton last month against France, the start only came about minutes before kick-off when named starter Luke Jacobson pulled up with a quad injury. Kirifi was originally named on the bench, but ended up playing all 80 minutes, scoring his first Test try in the process.

With his fourth cap awaiting in his Rugby Championship debut, the 28-year-old wants to impose an established skillset on the international stage, having paid his dues at the Super Rugby level.

“Obviously, still being relatively new to the environment and the international scene, it’s natural to be excited and eager to get out there and prove my worth, but at the same time, I’ve been playing rugby for a long time; I’m not 21 or 22, there’s a lot of rugby under my belt,” he told reporters following the team announcement. “I’d like to think I can take that in my stride and just focus on what’s important, and what’s important is just doing my job as best I can.

“Obviously, another proud moment, being officially named to start for the first time, but I’m kind of glad the first couple of Tests are over and all the noise around me becoming an All Black is behind me, and now I can just focus on training hard and playing well.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

21

36

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Reflecting on his first series in black, Kirifi wasn’t thrilled with his early performances, but felt he found his feet in the third Test.

“I felt like I’d definitely built into the role as the French series went on, and yeah, I’m proud of the way I played in that third Test under somewhat unique circumstances.

“Super unfortunate that Luke went down in the warm-up, but we always talk about just being ready for anything, and I guess that’s a prime example of just that.”

With an ultra-talented loose forward unit to compete with, Kirifi must make the most of the opportunities presented to him.

But the Wellington captain knows it’s not just about playing his game, but empowering the players around him, especially his former Hurricanes teammate Ardie Savea.

“I think with Ardie, just Ardie being who he is and the role he plays for this team, it’s just about supporting him so that he can go out there and do what he does best and get us on the front foot.

“I think technically over the ball at ruck time, for both of us, it’s just about seeing the pictures and picking the right time and trying to be as effective as possible. We’re going for quality over quantity, and I know that if I’m accurate when it’s my turn to tackle or tackle, then I know that in turn I’ll be setting him up to do well, as with Tupou (Vaa’i).

“We’re looking to operate in a pretty succinct unit on the weekend, and then with Sami (Finau) coming off the bench, nothing’s going to change, hopefully. ”

The great Richie McCaw’s retirement is now a decade in the rearview mirror, and his legacy, along with the legacies of the many All Blacks greats to wear No. 7, loom large for Kirifi. Now finally in the environment and living out his dream, he’s eager to do the jersey proud.

“Looking to the past and the history of the No. 7 jersey for a lot of inspiration, and hoping to build some more momentum on that moving forward.”