February 6, 2026 • 7 mins
The Hurricanes fine tune for the Super Rugby season in Porirua on Saturday, with their final pre-season match against the Chiefs.
'Canes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi caught up with Adam Cooper ahead of the clash.
Kirifi will miss the first month of the competition with a calf injury.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We happened New Year. I mean this time last year,
things were probably looking a bit different for you in
terms of approaching a campaign with the Hurricanes and then
what a year it was last year. But of a
break after a full, long year last year, how eagerly
are you to be back into things this year?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Yeah, cheers mate, Happy New Year as well. Yeah, this
time last year, the year ahead looked completely different. I guess,
like you say, I wasn't sure if I was I
wasn't sure if I was going to be playing consistently
for the Canes and obviously everything after that to come.
(00:34):
So yeah, I think going into last year, I set
myself a couple of really really hard goals and had
to be really honest with myself around my game and
who I was as a person outside of that. And yeah,
really proud of I guess the things that unfolded post
interview this time last year, had a really good break
(00:54):
with my partner and had time to relax and reflect.
But you know, in terms of still want to to
achieve and wanting to win, I don't think that ever changes.
So you know, sitting here again before another exciting Super
Rugby season is there's the same kind of kid who
wants to just win and compete and put his best
foot forward for himself and for his club.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Was it something you were able to take stock of
at the time as everything kind of unfolded through the
year that the squad announcements that your first appearance in
the black jersey, and the way things evolved was it.
Did it all feel like it happened in a hurry
or were you able to sort of absorb it all
at the time.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, it's a great question. Definitely felt like there were
moments to sit back and reflect throughout that whole process,
even throughout the Super season. You know, just finding some
real consistency there and becoming a really reliable player and
teammate was something that I'm really proud of and to
see that be acknowledged, and I guess the things that
(01:48):
had happened and unfolded after that, making the orbles and
getting to travel the world doing what I love doing,
which is playing rugby and representing our people. Yeah, it's
just really grateful for those opportunities, but definitely had times
to sit back and reflect. Then I've got an awesome
circle around me who keep me grounded and remind me
of remind me of where I came from and who
(02:11):
I am, So yeah, nah, you know, it was a
great year, but it's just another year and a long
journey and hopefully can build on that again.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
How much of the leadership responsibilities last year set you
up for a big year? You were credited for how
you and a few of the other boys rallied around
as co captains. Did that sort of set you up
for to have some confidence behind you as the season
went on?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
For you? Yeah, it's a huge honor to be able
to lead this club, such a proud club in their
twenty ninth year last year, alongside Brad Soufto wren Billy.
But I felt like the responsibility brought the best out
of me. It was obviously shared, but to be leaned upon,
(02:52):
I guess was something that brought the best out of
me and put the right amount of pressure on me
to go out there and be honest with myself and
achieve and put myself in the right places that I
need to be throughout the season. So yeah, you're right,
it did set me up well for the rest of
the season. And yeah, I think it just meant that
there was a certain amount of responsibility that I had
(03:15):
to carry. That meant that that kind of yeah, pushed
me forward each day to be better.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
And arriving back into camp earlier than you needed to
be this year? Is that a sign of just just
wanting to get into things this year? There seems to
be a good buzz around the base here with a
pretty consistent group of players. Have been there or thereabouts
almost as a team the last couple of seasons, but
there appears to be some good motivation around.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, there's a huge motivation within the group this year.
And you know, we've got some seriously talented players within
our team, and we've added a couple and a couple
of come home. So to see the whole group together
now and look at the names that are on the
sheets of paper as pretty impressive. I think the challenge
now for us is to field a team that represents
(03:56):
the way that we've been training and the values of
the club and see how that can yeah, progress as
the season goes on. But looking at the group of
players that we have is really exciting, not just for us,
but I'm sure for our family, friends and fans in
the wider regions. So yeah, we'll just see what happens
come around one, but really proud of the group so
far and the work that we've been putting in both
(04:18):
on and off the field.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I mean, Geordie returns to an environment like this, how
much of a personality does he try and be here?
Is he sort of making his presence felt being back?
Does he eases way back? And you've known him for
so long, you know, how does he sort of return
to an environment like this?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Oh? He just yeah, slips back him pretty seamlessly. I'm
sure he was a little bit nervous having been away
for a year, but you know, a man of his
caliber and someone who knows the majority of the group
extremely well, just as Yeah, it just fits back in, yeah,
pretty easily. And we're extremely lucky to have him back.
You know, he's gone over to Ireland and gained a
whole heap of experience on top of all of the
(04:52):
experience that he already has. So to have him back
here and sharing his knowledge and even just his presence
and his money beyond that is something that I know
us as players are extremely grateful for, and I'm sure
the coaches are too because he can help them coach
along the way. So you know, It's good to see
Jordie Becky. He's got a big smile on his face
and I think he shares the same excitement that the
(05:13):
rest of us do about the season that's in front
of us.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
And for you personally, not just in Super rugby, but
as the rugby year goes on, how do you yourself
push to I guess, improve on last year even more.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, it's a great question. We've already acknowledged how big
of a year it was for me personally, but I
feel like, I guess that's just the first step as
making the team and playing. So the next step for
me is to really grow on that and just become
even better player than I was last year. You know.
It's an amazing achievement by by no means and delusion
(05:46):
all around how I played, I guess at the international
level and there's definitely some room to improve there for myself.
So trying to take a couple of learnings from the
international level and bring it back to Super rugby and
help grow my game and just play at that kind
of level we can week out for the Hurricanes.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
What is the genuine expectation for the Canes this year
as a playing group? What have you talked about in
terms of what you want from each other? And I
guess you know, results come the end.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, to win. You know, we had a host of
boys achieved fifty games last year. We've got a couple
within the camp with one hundred the experiences there, we've
played together for many years now, We've got the coaches,
we've got the we've got the staff and behind us
that are supporting us. And I guess over the last
few seasons you've seen something grower in terms of culture
(06:31):
and the playing group. So I think the expectation this
year is that we win. Let's be brutally honest, that
window for us team is closing in on us. In
terms of the players that we've got. We've already seen
some talented boys already signed overseas. Some have resigned, which
is amazing for the club. But we've got to Yeah,
(06:52):
we've got to find a way to win and ween
ugly sometimes, but the end goal is definitely to win
the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Obviously, a bit of outside noise with rugby at the moment,
has that change anything about the way you and yet
your fellow AB's are going about things right here right now?
Or is it sort of you're able to focus on
super right now.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yeah. Yeah, there is a lot of outside noise going
on at the moment. I don't think it changes anything
whether you're an All Black or not. I think the
main focus for all of us as players is to
turn up and compete, put our best foot forward for
our team here and if you can do that we
can week out, then they will put you in good
stead for whatever's to come, no matter who the head
coach is. So yeah, there's a lot going on. There's
(07:31):
a lot of opinions floating around, so I won't be
ready my own, but as a player, it certainly doesn't
change anything. You know, if you want to be the best,
you've got to be the best every week, no matter
what team you're playing for.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
All the best for another great year, mate, and go well.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Thank you, bro, appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
For more from News Talk, said B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
We happened New Year. I mean this time last year,
things were probably looking a bit different for you in
terms of approaching a campaign with the Hurricanes and then
what a year it was last year. But of a
break after a full, long year last year, how eagerly
are you to be back into things this year?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Yeah, cheers mate, Happy New Year as well. Yeah, this
time last year, the year ahead looked completely different. I guess,
like you say, I wasn't sure if I was I
wasn't sure if I was going to be playing consistently
for the Canes and obviously everything after that to come.
(00:34):
So yeah, I think going into last year, I set
myself a couple of really really hard goals and had
to be really honest with myself around my game and
who I was as a person outside of that. And yeah,
really proud of I guess the things that unfolded post
interview this time last year, had a really good break
(00:54):
with my partner and had time to relax and reflect.
But you know, in terms of still want to to
achieve and wanting to win, I don't think that ever changes.
So you know, sitting here again before another exciting Super
Rugby season is there's the same kind of kid who
wants to just win and compete and put his best
foot forward for himself and for his club.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Was it something you were able to take stock of
at the time as everything kind of unfolded through the
year that the squad announcements that your first appearance in
the black jersey, and the way things evolved was it.
Did it all feel like it happened in a hurry
or were you able to sort of absorb it all
at the time.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, it's a great question. Definitely felt like there were
moments to sit back and reflect throughout that whole process,
even throughout the Super season. You know, just finding some
real consistency there and becoming a really reliable player and
teammate was something that I'm really proud of and to
see that be acknowledged, and I guess the things that
(01:48):
had happened and unfolded after that, making the orbles and
getting to travel the world doing what I love doing,
which is playing rugby and representing our people. Yeah, it's
just really grateful for those opportunities, but definitely had times
to sit back and reflect. Then I've got an awesome
circle around me who keep me grounded and remind me
of remind me of where I came from and who
(02:11):
I am, So yeah, nah, you know, it was a
great year, but it's just another year and a long
journey and hopefully can build on that again.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
How much of the leadership responsibilities last year set you
up for a big year? You were credited for how
you and a few of the other boys rallied around
as co captains. Did that sort of set you up
for to have some confidence behind you as the season
went on?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
For you? Yeah, it's a huge honor to be able
to lead this club, such a proud club in their
twenty ninth year last year, alongside Brad Soufto wren Billy.
But I felt like the responsibility brought the best out
of me. It was obviously shared, but to be leaned upon,
(02:52):
I guess was something that brought the best out of
me and put the right amount of pressure on me
to go out there and be honest with myself and
achieve and put myself in the right places that I
need to be throughout the season. So yeah, you're right,
it did set me up well for the rest of
the season. And yeah, I think it just meant that
there was a certain amount of responsibility that I had
(03:15):
to carry. That meant that that kind of yeah, pushed
me forward each day to be better.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
And arriving back into camp earlier than you needed to
be this year? Is that a sign of just just
wanting to get into things this year? There seems to
be a good buzz around the base here with a
pretty consistent group of players. Have been there or thereabouts
almost as a team the last couple of seasons, but
there appears to be some good motivation around.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, there's a huge motivation within the group this year.
And you know, we've got some seriously talented players within
our team, and we've added a couple and a couple
of come home. So to see the whole group together
now and look at the names that are on the
sheets of paper as pretty impressive. I think the challenge
now for us is to field a team that represents
(03:56):
the way that we've been training and the values of
the club and see how that can yeah, progress as
the season goes on. But looking at the group of
players that we have is really exciting, not just for us,
but I'm sure for our family, friends and fans in
the wider regions. So yeah, we'll just see what happens
come around one, but really proud of the group so
far and the work that we've been putting in both
(04:18):
on and off the field.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I mean, Geordie returns to an environment like this, how
much of a personality does he try and be here?
Is he sort of making his presence felt being back?
Does he eases way back? And you've known him for
so long, you know, how does he sort of return
to an environment like this?
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Oh? He just yeah, slips back him pretty seamlessly. I'm
sure he was a little bit nervous having been away
for a year, but you know, a man of his
caliber and someone who knows the majority of the group
extremely well, just as Yeah, it just fits back in, yeah,
pretty easily. And we're extremely lucky to have him back.
You know, he's gone over to Ireland and gained a
whole heap of experience on top of all of the
(04:52):
experience that he already has. So to have him back
here and sharing his knowledge and even just his presence
and his money beyond that is something that I know
us as players are extremely grateful for, and I'm sure
the coaches are too because he can help them coach
along the way. So you know, It's good to see
Jordie Becky. He's got a big smile on his face
and I think he shares the same excitement that the
(05:13):
rest of us do about the season that's in front
of us.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
And for you personally, not just in Super rugby, but
as the rugby year goes on, how do you yourself
push to I guess, improve on last year even more.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, it's a great question. We've already acknowledged how big
of a year it was for me personally, but I
feel like, I guess that's just the first step as
making the team and playing. So the next step for
me is to really grow on that and just become
even better player than I was last year. You know.
It's an amazing achievement by by no means and delusion
(05:46):
all around how I played, I guess at the international
level and there's definitely some room to improve there for myself.
So trying to take a couple of learnings from the
international level and bring it back to Super rugby and
help grow my game and just play at that kind
of level we can week out for the Hurricanes.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
What is the genuine expectation for the Canes this year
as a playing group? What have you talked about in
terms of what you want from each other? And I
guess you know, results come the end.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, to win. You know, we had a host of
boys achieved fifty games last year. We've got a couple
within the camp with one hundred the experiences there, we've
played together for many years now, We've got the coaches,
we've got the we've got the staff and behind us
that are supporting us. And I guess over the last
few seasons you've seen something grower in terms of culture
(06:31):
and the playing group. So I think the expectation this
year is that we win. Let's be brutally honest, that
window for us team is closing in on us. In
terms of the players that we've got. We've already seen
some talented boys already signed overseas. Some have resigned, which
is amazing for the club. But we've got to Yeah,
(06:52):
we've got to find a way to win and ween
ugly sometimes, but the end goal is definitely to win
the whole thing.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Obviously, a bit of outside noise with rugby at the moment,
has that change anything about the way you and yet
your fellow AB's are going about things right here right now?
Or is it sort of you're able to focus on
super right now.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
Yeah. Yeah, there is a lot of outside noise going
on at the moment. I don't think it changes anything
whether you're an All Black or not. I think the
main focus for all of us as players is to
turn up and compete, put our best foot forward for
our team here and if you can do that we
can week out, then they will put you in good
stead for whatever's to come, no matter who the head
coach is. So yeah, there's a lot going on. There's
(07:31):
a lot of opinions floating around, so I won't be
ready my own, but as a player, it certainly doesn't
change anything. You know, if you want to be the best,
you've got to be the best every week, no matter
what team you're playing for.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
All the best for another great year, mate, and go well.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Thank you, bro, appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
For more from News Talk, said B, listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
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