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'We've talked about Boshier, we've talked about Papalii... But he is hitting some good form': The race for the All Blacks No 7 jersey heats up
Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi is the first man to admit that his form with the Hurricanes this year hasn’t quite been where it needs to be but his performance against the Highlanders over the weekend will have piqued the interest of the All Blacks selectors.
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Kirifi didn’t earn any caps for New Zealand last year but he was called up ahead of the All Blacks’ trip to Australia where they played their final matches of the Tri-Nations.
With Sam Cane unavailable for at least the early stages of the test season and Ardie Savea also on the mend, Ian Foster and his assistants may feel that Kirifi is worth another look.
“It’s probably not gone the way I’ve personally wanted it to go,” Kirifi said last week of the season to date. “It’s just been a bit stop-start, just hasn’t been as smooth as, I guess, I wanted it to be. Had a rough start to the season.
“Obviously, discipline has been a big factor in my game, personally, so that’s something that me and the coaches and mental skills [coaches] are trying to work on. But there are still positives that I can take out of my game. I feel like I’m doing some good things in areas but it’s just around being accurate for 80 minutes.”
The 24-year-old put in a massive effort in the Hurricanes’ 41-22 win over the Highlanders on Friday night, however, and it’s starting to hit his straps at the perfect time of the year.
It was a showing that former All Blacks hooker James Parsons nominated as the Farmlands Workhorse of the Week, commending the flanker for his commitment and passion throughout the match.
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“[He] had a massive, massive shift,” Parsons said on the latest instalment of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“Massive at the breakdown turnovers, great link play. Scored a try but there was great link play and a lot of offloads that led to other tries. Big in defence, good in the lineout, good in the scrum. Ticked all his core roles with a bit of flair.
“Just his passion and his effort to celebrate with his teammates when they did something well was exceptional. It wasn’t just celebrating his own moments, he celebrated his teammates’ moments.”
Pablo Matera is going to have his work cut out for him at @CrusadersRugby next year – but he's going to be a huge addition to the champion side. #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/Fs6epQG6Zq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 4, 2021
With six rounds of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman to play following this weekend’s New Zealand and Australia finals, Kirifi has plenty of time to hit peak form before the All Blacks are selected ahead of the July internationals.
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“He’s just hitting form,” Parsons said. “If he can carry this form on into the Trans-Tasman… [We’re] talking about a lot of 7s. We’ve talked about [Lachlan] Boshier, we’ve talked about [Dalton] Papalii, we’ve talked about all these other 7s but he is hitting some good form.
“He’s a man that toured with the All Blacks so he’s in and around the mix already and they do like to go back to their incumbents first. He’s hitting some good form and a pretty good time before that All Blacks team is named.”
Parsons also suggested that the efforts of loose forwards Adrian Choat (Blues), Pita Gus Sowakula and Liam Messam (both Chiefs) should be acknowledged, given their performances in their match on Saturday night.
“Adrian Choat, he was just everywhere. He was into everything, I think he split his head about nine times. Went off, came back on, went off, came back on. And just was into it. He was a mighty workhorse.
“I thought Pita Gus Sowakula was into everything, getting around. A few pick and goes through the middle. A bit of offload game, good carries. I think you’ve got to mention Liam Messam as a workhorse coming back at 37. That definitely deserves a tip of the cap.”
Parsons’ Aotearoa Rugby Pod co-panellist, Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, suggested that Hurricanes No 8 Devan Flanders put in an Ardie Savea-like performance against the Highlanders which was hugely important in his side’s win on Friday night
“I thought he was outstanding on the weekend,” Hall said. “He had 45 metres with eight carries and actually beat four defenders.
“We talked around Ardie Savea, around him being able to beat defenders. With [Flanders] being at No 8, I think he’s been outstanding. Especially on the weekend but probably the last two weeks with Ardie being out.”
Hall also had good things to say about Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape, and the Blues trio of Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Hoskins Sotutu and newbie Zarn Sullivan.
Sullivan, in his first Super Rugby appearance, scored a well-taken try against the Chiefs and added a potent kicking option to the Blues backline.
“I thought he was silky,” said Hall.
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
Forget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
21 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
14 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
14 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
21 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
21 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
14 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
21 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
14 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
14 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
21 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
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