Rugby: Special jersey going to a special place for new All Black Du Plessis Kirifi

The blood-stained jersey from Du Plessis Kirifi’s first All Blacks test is going to someone special.

The 28-year-old Hurricanes loose forward realised a near life-long dream in Dunedin on Saturday night when he came off the bench for his maiden cap in the All Blacks’ nervy 31-27 win over France.

All Blacks loose forward Du Plessis Kirifi.
Photo: Peter Meecham

Kirifi said it was everything he’d hoped it would be.

“Yeah, it was. Just the whole night you know, the bus, getting ready in the changing room for the first official time. The national anthem, what a proud moment. Being able to do that, representing your country in front of your country, is special,” Kirifi said.

“Then to be able to perform the haka, that’s something you used to do when you’re seven, eight, nine, 10 years old. Heaps of special moments. Playing alongside some lifelong friends of mine and also winning and being able to go into the crowd and see my mum and dad.

“Plenty of special moments tonight and (test rugby) was everything I expected it to be. It was bloody hard as well.”

The white collar of Kirifi’s All Blacks jersey was stained with blood from a cut to his ear, a sign of just how tough the introduction to international rugby can be.

That jersey is destined to become a special memento for Kirifi’s father Jack, who encouraged him to turn down a lucrative offer to play in Japan to have one last crack at making the All Blacks.

“It’s going to get framed and it’s probably going to my dad and then up in the hallway (at Kirifi’s parents home in Taranaki). Unwashed, definitely unwashed.”

Du Plessis Kirifi of New Zealand is hugged by his parents (Donna and Jack) in the stands after debuting for the All Blacks.
Photo: Peter Meecham

Kirifi could have been forgiven for being a bundle of nerves before his first test for the All Blacks, but he said his past experiences helped him stay calm.

“I guess one of my points of difference is that I’m not 21, 22 anymore. I’ve been doing this for nine-odd years,” Kirifi said.

“So although it was my debut and I had a little bit of nervous anticipation around playing, that was coupled with a lot of belief and confidence in my work ethic and my ability to just do my job.”

Kirifi wasn’t surprised by how well the French played, despite being well understrength with eight debutants in the side.

The visitors had been all but written off by most pundits, but Kirifi said the All Blacks knew they’d be hard to beat and said he was given a lesson on the French team’s physicality during one of his first touches of the ball.

“I’m not sure if there was a gap there for me because I got smoked by a couple of big French boys,” Kirifi said.

“Sometimes you’re going to be running into a brick wall. It’s not always going to be a soft shoulder or a gap. I’m just glad we could build another phase off of that one because I think I was going backwards for a second there.

“You expect absolutely nothing less. It’s international rugby, test rugby and they’ve (France) travelled a long way. They’re not going to make that massive trip and and not put their best foot forward.”

Du Plessis Kirifi.
Photo: Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz

Kirifi, who has now achieved his ultimate goal of becoming an All Black, said he has a lot of people to thank.

“Plenty of texts and phone calls left unanswered at the moment. I’ll slowly get back to people, but I’m definitely feeling the love, not just from around New Zealand, but also the world.”

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