Uncapped and with unfinished business
Du’Plessis Kirifi has never been closer to achieving the dream of playing for the All Blacks that he first wrote on his wall as a sixyear-old boy.
But the uncapped loose forward has come away from his maiden international tour with a realisation that he still has a lot to learn.
‘‘I haven’t played a test and the captain’s No 7 and he’s played upwards of 60, so I’d definitely say there’s a big gap between where I am and where I need to be,’’ Kirifi said.
‘‘I wouldn’t say I’m where I need to be at all but I’m really looking forward to working hard to get where I need to be to get there.’’
Kirifi was denied a possible All Blacks debut during the TriNations and he was sent home early, along with Peter UmagaJensen and the suspended Ofa Tu’ungafasi – not required once late arrival Ardie Savea became available.
Desperate for his first taste of international rugby, Kirifi was gutted to leave the environment early but understood where he sat in the pecking order and respected coach Ian Foster’s decision, especially after the All Blacks suffered a shock loss to Argentina.
‘‘I’m pretty aware that the fella that I came in to replace, Ardie, he was back.
‘‘Obviously Ardie is Ardie, and they dropped a couple of games so if I was potentially going to get an opportunity that wasn’t going to happen because they needed to field their best team and get a good win against Argentina.
‘‘I wanted to stay there the whole time and soak up the atmosphere a little more but I’m pretty realistic at the end of the day and understand why I got sent home.’’
Kirifi’s selection meant he missed the final rounds ofWellington’s Mitre 10 Cup campaign. However, while he was gutted to leave with unfinished business and understood Lions supporters’ frustration, Kirifi said he cherished every minute of his time in camp with the All Blacks in Australia, even if it was cut short.
‘‘I was gutted along with them. Leaving that team, we had an opportunity to do something really good this season. I was gutted I left but at the same time I was really happy I had that opportunity.’’
For Kirifi, that goal has not changed for the past 17 years. He is determined to fulfil his dream of playing for the All Blacks.
‘‘Going over there, getting a taste for it, sniffing that blood almost but not being able to play, I’m just hungry bro,’’ Kirifi said.
‘‘I’m looking to have a big offseason and train the house down and put my best foot forward.
‘‘It’s the goal. It’s what has been written on my wall since I was a six-year-old kid and it’s still yet to be ticked off. Being an All Black is the dream.’’
‘‘It’s what has been written on my wall since I was a six-yearold kid and it’s still yet to be ticked off.’’ Du’Plessis Kirifi on becoming an All Black
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