Latest news with #Kirifi
1News
a day ago
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks show resolve among the rust to sweep French series 3-0
A night in Hamilton which started uncomfortably for the All Blacks, with loose forward Luke Jacobson ruled out before kick-off, finished in a not entirely stress-free victory for the home side as they swept France 3-0 in the series. It could be tempting to say that Jacobson's injury in the warm-up was a sign of things to come, but the signs were probably there from the time the team was announced. Putting it politely, this was an All Blacks' C team against a French team of similar standard and while both played with desire and passion – and the French defended extremely well at times – there was plenty of loose stuff as both sides struggled for cohesion. Jacobson's failure to complete the warm-up brought Du'Plessi Kirifi into the No.7 jersey and Christian Lio-Willie on to the bench, with Kirifi scoring one of the All Blacks' four tries in the 29-19 victory at Waikato Stadium. The result suggests that Scott Robertson's decision to change completely his 23 after the second Test win in Wellington was a success, but this was an untested and in some cases inexperienced line-up which battled for control and penetration on attack and in the end wore down the opposition at the end of a long season for them. ADVERTISEMENT The All Blacks huffed and puffed but could not put away the French until very late in the piece after turning at halftime with a 17-19 deficit. Du'Plessis Kirifi celebrates his first Test try. (Source: Photosport) Four times they were held up over the line, with Samipeni Finau, Ethan de Groot, Dalton Papali'i and Ardie Savea all crossing but failing to score. France halfback Nolann Le Garrec continued the early downbeat vibe for the home side with a dart down the blindside to score the game's first try, the visitors going out to a 10-nil lead thanks to another intervention from the No.9 as the All Blacks fluffed lineouts, failed to clean out rucks, pushed passes, the list goes on. Bottom line - they were failing in the fundamentals, but if there is one player they can count on to get them across the line it is Will Jordan, the man brought into the starting XV – and right wing – only due to an injury on the eve of the match for Rieko Ioane. Credit must go firstly for Cortez Ratima's vision – the little halfback spotting that the French were awol at the back and putting in a perfectly weighted kick for the relentless Jordan to score yet another Test try. That's No.42 in 44 Tests. Neither side had a lot of success with their kicking strategy, but the All Blacks enjoyed the bulk of the territory and, indeed, were held up twice over the line in the first half through Finau and then de Groot. ADVERTISEMENT The French appeared on the brink of cracking, though, and the All Blacks duly broke through after the halftime hooter via centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who showed great strength to get across the line after being tackled short of it. It was a hugely important moment in the match, with Kirifi's maiden Test try after the break helping the All Blacks into a lead they never relinquished – the loose forward on hand for the loose ball after Damian McKenzie's kick through and Lienert-Brown's pressure. Still the mistakes came, debutant Brodie McAlister struggling with his lineout throwing and Savea getting the All Blacks out of jail with a penalty turnover on his own line. With 13 minutes to go, McKenzie's decision to kick for the corner rather than attempt to add an almost guaranteed three points raised eyebrows, but it almost paid off, Papali'i going close but ruled out by the television match official. The game wasn't made safe until extremely late – Jordie Barrett on as a replacement and running tough lines throughout, making the break to put McAlister in by the posts for a popular try. It took resolve and a whole lot of effort, but the All Blacks will almost certainly be better off for this victory which would have taught Robertson and company an awful lot. All Blacks 29 (Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Brodie McAlister tries; Damian McKenzie 3 cons, pen) France 19 (Nolann Le Garrec try, con, 3 pens; Antoine Hastoy dropped goal) Halftime: France 19-17
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Sport
- LeMonde
New Zealand beats France 29-19 to complete sweep of Test series
New Zealand staved off a fierce challenge from France, pulling away late to win the third Test 29-19 on Saturday, July 19, and complete a series clean sweep. The All Blacks took the lead for the first time with only 20 minutes remaining in Hamilton as the under-strength visitors faded in their last game of a long season, eventually conceding four tries to one. 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 as a New Zealand side featuring 10 starting changes was forced into mistakes. The hosts played with greater energy to largely dominate the second half, creating tries for forwards Du'Plessis Kirifi and Brodie McAlister, who were both making their first Test starts. It sealed the series 3-0 against a touring team who were under-strength after coach Fabian Galthié chose to leave most of his first-choice players at home. The French were highly competitive in the first Test, which they lost 31-27, but they were well beaten 41-17 in the second Test in Wellington. New Zealand has swept all five three-match series between the sides, also winning 3-0 in 1961, 1968, 2013 and 2018. 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 42 nd try in 44 Tests. France scored in threes for the remainder of the half, through two more Le Garrec penalties and a drop-goal to fly-half Antoine Hastoy. New Zealand closed to 19-17 when center Anton Lienert-Brown slid across nearly three minutes after the half-time hooter had sounded, finishing a long phase of pressure. Le Garrec missed a penalty and Hastoy a drop-goal attempt during a tense, scoreless third quarter of the match. The home side pushed ahead when France failed to control a Damian McKenzie cross-kick and flanker Kirifi crossed for his first Test try. Kirifi was promoted to the starting side just before kick-off when Luke Jacobson was ruled out with injury. Hooker McAlister had a moment to savour on debut off the bench when he supported a break by Jordie Barrett and ran 15 meters to score in the dying minutes.
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Blood-soaked and full of pride
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.
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rookies provide bright spot for rusty All Blacks
The biggest smile on All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's face after a lacklustre season-opening victory over France came when he recalled the performance of his four rookies. Rookies provide bright spot for rusty All Blacks Dutch giant Fabian Holland and No 8 Christian Lio-Willie started the match, with 22-year-old lock Holland playing the full 80 minutes. "He could have played 100 minutes," Robertson said, celebrating Holland's "huge engine". Prop Ollie Norris and flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi joined from the bench, providing a spark which helped the team home. The quartet were the undoubted bright spots in a rusty New Zealand performance against a France side boasting eight rookies and written off as a supposed "B-team". Holland grew up in the Dutch town of Castricum, near Amsterdam, where his old friends gathered at a rugby club to celebrate his New Zealand debut. "My best mates that I grew up with organised a morning brunch there," Holland said. "A Dutch morning brunch, with a few pints of course. "I haven't checked my phone yet, but I'll probably end up calling my best mates from back home and just have a yarn with them. "They always try and watch every game at my grassroots club, Castricumse Rugby Club, so to have them in my corner is pretty special." Holland was solid if unspectacular in his All Black debut. The 204-centimetre lock towered over his teammates during the national anthems. He smiled warmly as he remembered the home he left at 14, pursuing an unlikely path to the coveted black jersey. "They have a New Zealand under-20s jersey , so I try to give back to the club there," Holland said. "They shaped me into the person that I am today, into the rugby player, helped me find my passion for rugby, so I owe them a lot. "Whenever I'm back home I just try to get around the kids, help out with a few training drills and be as approachable as I can. "I don't know, probably not enough for what they've done for me, but hopefully they know how much the club means to me." Holland said his first All Blacks jersey would take pride of place at his family home. Fellow rookie Kirifi fronted media after the match with blood staining his forehead, ears, chin and the white collar of his jersey. "It's going to get framed and that's probably going to go to my dad," Kirifi said, in reference to his first Test jersey. "Unwashed." Kirifi said Test match rugby had been a huge step up. "Yeah, it was very tough," he said. "I'm not sure if there was a gap there for me, because I got smoked by a couple of big French boys at one stage there. "But sometimes you're going to be running into a brick wall. "But you expect absolutely nothing less. That's international rugby." bes/sft/sco This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Associated Press
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
After blowing hot and cold, the Hurricanes find form in Super Rugby
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Hurricanes have been late to the party in Super Rugby this season. While other teams shone in the first weeks of a tight competition, the Wellington-based Hurricanes lacked their usual luster. But with a 57-12 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in Round 7, the Hurricanes catapulted themselves into playoffs contention, finally grabbing a place in the spotlight. The Hurricanes had a 1-3 record through their first four games, which contained only flashes of their usually inspired attacking play. While their set piece generally has been reliable, ball security and control of possession has not. While the Hurricanes have been able to create opportunities, they haven't always been able to finish. In a season in which all advantages appear to be with the team in possession, the Hurricanes have been too careless of possession. Their defense has been solid but they have been imprecise and impatient on attack. On Friday everything clicked. The Waratahs scored first before the Hurricanes seized control and ran in nine tries. The effort started at the back with strong defense and the outstanding ability of Hurricanes captain and open side flanker DuPlessis Kirifi to win breakdown turnovers. Kirifi is pressing a strong case for All Blacks selection this year. Lock Isaia Walker Leawere was a standout performer and winger Kini Naholo produced the finishing touch with three tries. The Hurricanes got back their confidence and with it their creativity in attack which was seen at its best in the reverse pass from fullback Ruben Love which created a 57th minute try for winger Ngane Punivai. The first green shoots of the Hurricanes' revival were seen in their 20-18 win over the Highlanders in Round 5 and two rounds later it has come into full bloom. 'It was nice rugby wasn't it?' coach Clark Laidlaw said. 'If you watched that Highlanders game, we had to work hard for everything we got, so it's always pleasing when you get a half chance and you take it. 'If you back it up with another one quickly then you can get a bit of daylight (on the opposition).' The Waratahs lost Max Jorgenson to injury then Joey Walton to a yellow card which also cost a penalty try. That helped the Hurricanes to take control of the match, especially when they scored twice close to halftime. 'The game is won and lost around the physical collision and the Hurricanes dominated that area,' Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said. 'We turned the ball over too much, both at the breakdown and at the set piece and they got on a roll. 'They've got some talent in that group and they showed that tonight, so some harsh lessons for us.' Magnificent Moana On the subject of revivals, Moana Pasifika's magnificent 45-29 over the much higher-ranked Crusaders was another example of a team which had hinted at better form than it had produced. Again, confidence played a key role. The Moana Pasifika players felt that they were on the verge of a complete performance and produced that on Saturday, going out with the intention of starting well, then keeping up the tempo and pressure when the Crusaders tried to rally. Moana Pasifika's kicking game was outstanding, implemented by flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini. Sydney-born and of Tongan heritage, Pelligrini played for Coventry in England's RFU Championship and for Tonga at the 2023 World Cup. All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea, who moved from the Hurricanes to Moana Pasifika between seasons, has played a major role in the team's improvement. Savea scored two tries and Pellegrini touched down once in Saturday's victory. As with the Hurricanes, a strong performance in their last match — a narrow loss to the Chiefs, who led the competition after Round 6 — laid the foundation for a win in this weekend. 'We talked about moments and winning each moment,' Savea said. 'I felt like the boys stacked a lot of those moments together tonight. 'We knew no one was expecting us to win so the message was for the boys just to jam and play with nothing to lose.'
