June 24, 2025 • 8 mins
Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has finally got his first proper All Blacks call-up.
He was injury cover five years ago but is still uncapped, and this time he's been named in the squad proper.
Du'Plessis spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bes we're going to stop because we're going to be
chatting now to do proceed CARRIFFI, he joins us now
after getting into the or Bucks. Finally, good evening, dubes.
You've got the big start tomorrow. You're all in camp.
The fun has died down, the selection has died down,
and now it's all about the Marky. You ready for this?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Yeah, I hope. So you're obviously a big couple of
days of yeah, with the announcement and a bit of
family time, which has been really nice to reflect and acknowledge.
I guess the step that that's happened, but under no
illusion all the hard work and learning and growth is
still in front of us. Also, Yeah, looking forward to it,
But I hope I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I think it would be. You waited long enough, haven't you.
You've been sitting there ready to go. It's not worked
so much so is that you're nearly upsticked and left,
didn't you?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
It was definitely a possibility at a state there, But yeah,
it's been a lot of definitely taken the long road
around to get forget here compared to some of the
other boys who make it a lot younger. But you know,
I'm grateful for my journey and I think I've learned
a lot of things along the way. So, yeah, you're right,
hoping I am ready.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
What have you tuned up in the time you've been waiting,
because there'd be a lot of reflection in your path,
in your route, trying to consider what have you done right,
what have you done wrong? A lot of internalization of that,
and then you've got to put it to the outside
and perform. So what's been the biggest thing to think
over the years that that's pushed you up to the.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Four That's a really good question. I think the biggest,
biggest area of growth for me personally, over especially the
last two two seasons, has just been around consistency. I've
always been able to play, you know, good footy, but
being able to do it week in week out and
be someone's I guess my teammates can rely on has
(02:04):
been a challenge of mine in the past. So yeah,
I'd say that's my proudest area of growth, and I
would say a strength of mine now. Yeah, but you're right,
you know, like a lot of a lot of reflecting
and learning along the way, and often times we don't
have a lot of time to learn. You kind of
each week you're thrust into the public eye to execute
a plan and do a job, and sometimes you don't
(02:24):
do it to you know, the best of your capabilities,
and it's under scrutiny. So yeah, learns a lot in
public and learns a lot in private. Far grateful for both,
I guess, and it's put me in a good spot now.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Quite confronting for you two, you know, later in your
late twenties now to work out where you want to
go and what you want to do. Was there an
internal challenge? Was it setting? Was it easy?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
A man did that operate? I wouldn't say anything's easy.
I wouldn't say it's upsetting either. Just yeah, just I
think just always being real clear on what I've always
wanted to achieve, and that's becoming all work and never
losing sight of that no matter how hard it got
or how potentially deflating the situation became for me. But
(03:10):
just understanding that, yeah, it's not always going to be easy,
and sticking to it and trusting the process. But you know,
it's not just me. I'm extremely grateful and lucky to
have amazing people in my life who who challenged me
and keep me grounded, but look me up when I'm
when I'm a little bit down at times as well.
So you're really lucky for you know, those people in
my life who can often hold me up when when
(03:32):
I feel like I'm not I'm not going to get
the job done, but they can bring me back down
to earth real quick when I'm getting too big for myself.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Ah.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
So yeah, yeah, really grateful as far.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
As this year is concerned. Put your finger on what's impressed.
I don't know if you've talked with Scott Robertson or
any of the coaching staff, but what do you think
you've put down that has made the All Blacks pick
you up? What have you excelled at it?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I think my whole career, my ability to just compete
all the times has always been something I guess I
could I've been able to build my game on. But
to be more specific, potentially just my physicality both sides
of the boar, and not just being physical, but being
accurate as well and making plays in a sense that
(04:17):
impact the game and crucial moments. So Yeah, there's I'd
say those two or two and a half are probably
the big ones for me. I haven't quite had that
chat so far with the coaches, but there's definitely something
that was beneficial for us at the Hurricanes, so I imagine
it might be the same for them.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
As far as your teammates and the Hurricanes, all of
your teammates particularly, yet you loose ses Who's been the
most influential do you think in your development?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah, it's a it's a new one. I haven't been
asked that question. Hard to go past Brad Shields. He's
he's just an all around quality guy and he's been
doing it for a long time here at the Canes
and then overseas and now back here at the Canes
and willing to ruby. So really lucky to spend time
alongside him this year and work together and grow. Yeah,
(05:03):
and just learn off him, ask questions and see how
he operates. Billy Proctor is another one, just the way
that he really quietly goes about his work but is
really effective in everything he does. So learns a lot
of how he operates in this in there, and I
guess his routines inhabits. Yeah, and then the rest of
(05:23):
the just all of the lucies of the Hurricanes. There's
a lot of firepower there and some boys are far
more talented than I am, So I'm really lucky, I guess,
to be working alongside them week in, week out, and
and yeah, gleaning a couple of things off him every
now and then. That can have my own game.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Like in the way you're talking about Billy Procter, Because
here's a guy not too dissimilar to yourself who has
stuck around and he's applied himself. He's learned his role
and quietly he's gotten better and better and now he's
getting the rewards. So that kind of influence I expect
will be quite motivating for someone like yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, look, Billy's a east phenomenal bro. Like if you
see how he operates every week, you just you can
understand why he's as good as he is. Yeah, pretty cool.
Customer doesn't say a lot, but when he has something
to say, everyone listens because it's usually on the on
the mark. And yeah, he just goes out every week
like most of us do and just try to nail
(06:20):
our own role first and hopefully that has an impact
on the on the player either side of us. So yeah,
part of part of being a yeah, part of trying
to be a great player and teammateers is helping those
around you through your own actions. So there's definitely a
strength of his and something that I admire in him
and have learned from.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
What is with your ball snaffling ability, It's almost like,
right since you've started, you just bline for that thing
every time. Were you born hunched over a ruck trying
to pick the ball up?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Mate?
Speaker 2 (06:50):
It's like you're so natural there.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah, I'm not sure I was. I was hunched over
a ruck, but I was actually playing half back till
about sixteen seventeen, so I didn't make the switch to
could of forwards until a bit later. Yeah, I just
enjoy just enjoy the the ruck. I just enjoyed the
competitiveness of it, the physicality. Put on a little bit
(07:13):
of weight this year, so feel like I can definitely
hold my own in those in those type spaces. But yeah,
maybe my accuracy. You know, early on I was pretty
viable to give away penalties, and that's definitely an area
of growth that I've made over the last few years,
in an area that I'm proud of. And yeah, it's
definitely turned into a strength of not just mine but
the Hurricanes is our ability to turn ball over in
(07:35):
crucial moments. But yeah, I really enjoyed it that part
of it. It's a technical part obviously, with everyone watching
in four different rests, so you've got to get it
right otherwise you put your team under a lot of pressure.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
My two favorite words in rugby for years with speed
and accuracy. That's been got discipline added to that list
now as well. And that's what you're you're summarizing there. Hey, congratulations,
this is great news for you, for your whole family
and your friends. Really looking forward to seeing what kind
of ruck a seeking cause in a black get him mixed.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Jeez, Darcy, thank you mate, looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bes we're going to stop because we're going to be
chatting now to do proceed CARRIFFI, he joins us now
after getting into the or Bucks. Finally, good evening, dubes.
You've got the big start tomorrow. You're all in camp.
The fun has died down, the selection has died down,
and now it's all about the Marky. You ready for this?
Speaker 3 (00:35):
Yeah, I hope. So you're obviously a big couple of
days of yeah, with the announcement and a bit of
family time, which has been really nice to reflect and acknowledge.
I guess the step that that's happened, but under no
illusion all the hard work and learning and growth is
still in front of us. Also, Yeah, looking forward to it,
But I hope I'm ready.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
I think it would be. You waited long enough, haven't you.
You've been sitting there ready to go. It's not worked
so much so is that you're nearly upsticked and left,
didn't you?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
It was definitely a possibility at a state there, But yeah,
it's been a lot of definitely taken the long road
around to get forget here compared to some of the
other boys who make it a lot younger. But you know,
I'm grateful for my journey and I think I've learned
a lot of things along the way. So, yeah, you're right,
hoping I am ready.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
What have you tuned up in the time you've been waiting,
because there'd be a lot of reflection in your path,
in your route, trying to consider what have you done right,
what have you done wrong? A lot of internalization of that,
and then you've got to put it to the outside
and perform. So what's been the biggest thing to think
over the years that that's pushed you up to the.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Four That's a really good question. I think the biggest,
biggest area of growth for me personally, over especially the
last two two seasons, has just been around consistency. I've
always been able to play, you know, good footy, but
being able to do it week in week out and
be someone's I guess my teammates can rely on has
(02:04):
been a challenge of mine in the past. So yeah,
I'd say that's my proudest area of growth, and I
would say a strength of mine now. Yeah, but you're right,
you know, like a lot of a lot of reflecting
and learning along the way, and often times we don't
have a lot of time to learn. You kind of
each week you're thrust into the public eye to execute
a plan and do a job, and sometimes you don't
(02:24):
do it to you know, the best of your capabilities,
and it's under scrutiny. So yeah, learns a lot in
public and learns a lot in private. Far grateful for both,
I guess, and it's put me in a good spot now.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Quite confronting for you two, you know, later in your
late twenties now to work out where you want to
go and what you want to do. Was there an
internal challenge? Was it setting? Was it easy?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
A man did that operate? I wouldn't say anything's easy.
I wouldn't say it's upsetting either. Just yeah, just I
think just always being real clear on what I've always
wanted to achieve, and that's becoming all work and never
losing sight of that no matter how hard it got
or how potentially deflating the situation became for me. But
(03:10):
just understanding that, yeah, it's not always going to be easy,
and sticking to it and trusting the process. But you know,
it's not just me. I'm extremely grateful and lucky to
have amazing people in my life who who challenged me
and keep me grounded, but look me up when I'm
when I'm a little bit down at times as well.
So you're really lucky for you know, those people in
my life who can often hold me up when when
(03:32):
I feel like I'm not I'm not going to get
the job done, but they can bring me back down
to earth real quick when I'm getting too big for myself.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Ah.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
So yeah, yeah, really grateful as far.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
As this year is concerned. Put your finger on what's impressed.
I don't know if you've talked with Scott Robertson or
any of the coaching staff, but what do you think
you've put down that has made the All Blacks pick
you up? What have you excelled at it?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
I think my whole career, my ability to just compete
all the times has always been something I guess I
could I've been able to build my game on. But
to be more specific, potentially just my physicality both sides
of the boar, and not just being physical, but being
accurate as well and making plays in a sense that
(04:17):
impact the game and crucial moments. So Yeah, there's I'd
say those two or two and a half are probably
the big ones for me. I haven't quite had that
chat so far with the coaches, but there's definitely something
that was beneficial for us at the Hurricanes, so I imagine
it might be the same for them.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
As far as your teammates and the Hurricanes, all of
your teammates particularly, yet you loose ses Who's been the
most influential do you think in your development?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah, it's a it's a new one. I haven't been
asked that question. Hard to go past Brad Shields. He's
he's just an all around quality guy and he's been
doing it for a long time here at the Canes
and then overseas and now back here at the Canes
and willing to ruby. So really lucky to spend time
alongside him this year and work together and grow. Yeah,
(05:03):
and just learn off him, ask questions and see how
he operates. Billy Proctor is another one, just the way
that he really quietly goes about his work but is
really effective in everything he does. So learns a lot
of how he operates in this in there, and I
guess his routines inhabits. Yeah, and then the rest of
(05:23):
the just all of the lucies of the Hurricanes. There's
a lot of firepower there and some boys are far
more talented than I am, So I'm really lucky, I guess,
to be working alongside them week in, week out, and
and yeah, gleaning a couple of things off him every
now and then. That can have my own game.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Like in the way you're talking about Billy Procter, Because
here's a guy not too dissimilar to yourself who has
stuck around and he's applied himself. He's learned his role
and quietly he's gotten better and better and now he's
getting the rewards. So that kind of influence I expect
will be quite motivating for someone like yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah, look, Billy's a east phenomenal bro. Like if you
see how he operates every week, you just you can
understand why he's as good as he is. Yeah, pretty cool.
Customer doesn't say a lot, but when he has something
to say, everyone listens because it's usually on the on
the mark. And yeah, he just goes out every week
like most of us do and just try to nail
(06:20):
our own role first and hopefully that has an impact
on the on the player either side of us. So yeah,
part of part of being a yeah, part of trying
to be a great player and teammateers is helping those
around you through your own actions. So there's definitely a
strength of his and something that I admire in him
and have learned from.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
What is with your ball snaffling ability, It's almost like,
right since you've started, you just bline for that thing
every time. Were you born hunched over a ruck trying
to pick the ball up?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Mate?
Speaker 2 (06:50):
It's like you're so natural there.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah, I'm not sure I was. I was hunched over
a ruck, but I was actually playing half back till
about sixteen seventeen, so I didn't make the switch to
could of forwards until a bit later. Yeah, I just
enjoy just enjoy the the ruck. I just enjoyed the
competitiveness of it, the physicality. Put on a little bit
(07:13):
of weight this year, so feel like I can definitely
hold my own in those in those type spaces. But yeah,
maybe my accuracy. You know, early on I was pretty
viable to give away penalties, and that's definitely an area
of growth that I've made over the last few years,
in an area that I'm proud of. And yeah, it's
definitely turned into a strength of not just mine but
the Hurricanes is our ability to turn ball over in
(07:35):
crucial moments. But yeah, I really enjoyed it that part
of it. It's a technical part obviously, with everyone watching
in four different rests, so you've got to get it
right otherwise you put your team under a lot of pressure.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
My two favorite words in rugby for years with speed
and accuracy. That's been got discipline added to that list
now as well. And that's what you're you're summarizing there. Hey, congratulations,
this is great news for you, for your whole family
and your friends. Really looking forward to seeing what kind
of ruck a seeking cause in a black get him mixed.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Jeez, Darcy, thank you mate, looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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