Blood-soaked and full of pride

Otago Daily Times

07-07-2025

This is one jersey going straight to the pool room.
And it may not even get washed.
Du'Plessis Kirifi shed blood for the cause as he made his debut for the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday night — and he had a white collar soaked red to prove it.
His 30-minute cameo off the bench included all the energy and bustle we have come to expect of the 93-game Hurricanes veteran, and spilling a touch of claret was a small price to pay for the greatest moment of his career.
"It's going to get framed, and it's probably going to go to my dad," Kirifi said when asked what he had planned for his first black jersey.
"Unwashed, too."
Kirifi was one of four players on debut for the All Blacks in the 31-27 win in the first test against France.
The rugby passed by in a blur, but he said he treasured everything about the experience.
"Just the whole night. The bus, getting changed in the official changing room for the first time, the national anthem.
"What a proud moment, you know. Being able to represent your country in front of your country is special.
"To be able to get out and perform the haka — that's something you used to do when you were 7, 8, 9 years old.
"So there were a heap of special moments to go with playing alongside some lifelong friends of mine, and winning, and being able to go into the crowd and see my mum and dad."
It had been an intense week leading up to the first test for Kirifi and fellow forwards Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie and Ollie Norris.
But the 28-year-old openside flanker took everything in his stride.
"I guess one of my points of difference is I'm not 21, 22 anymore. I've been doing this for nine-odd years, so although it was my debut, and there was a little bit of nervousness, it comes with a lot of belief and confidence in my work ethic and my ability to just do my job.
"I've had plenty of texts and phone calls left unanswered. I will slowly get back to some people.
"I'm definitely feeling the love."
Kirifi said there was immense respect in the All Blacks for how the French challenged them.
While the game appeared in the balance for much of the second half, the home side had "massive belief" they were not going to let the test slip.
"We had confidence in our plan, and also just trust.
"When you're hard on defence, you look across the line, you can hear boys talking, you can see their body language and their eyes up — when you see that, it's hard not to be confident.
"You're not sure how it's going to end. They may end up scoring. But when you see the body language and the chat, it fills you with a lot of confidence."
Kirifi would treasure a start on his home ground in the second test in Wellington this weekend, and it will be interesting to see whether the All Blacks do any tinkering in the loose forwards.
Some sort of announcement is expected today on whether captain Scott Barrett could be out for some time after tweaking his Achilles in Dunedin.
If he is a goner, Ardie Savea will presumably be captain, and Holland can expect another start at lock.