July 3, 2025 • 8 mins
Hurricanes co-captain Du'Plessis Kirifi has been given the chance to earn his first test cap after being named in the No 20 jersey for this Saturday's test against France.
Kirifi joins Elliott Smith to discuss what the coaches have asked of him for his debut, and how it will feel to perform the haka and sing the national anthem with his family in the stands.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk zed b Well.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The All Blacks team released for the first Test of
the year against Franz Indoneda on Saturday. If you haven't
caught up with it, Ethan Degrut at Lucia Prop, Cody
Taylor at hooker, Fletcher Newell tid ed prop from then on,
Scott Barrett the captain, Fabian Holland on debut in the
second row two pro viy Ardisavi, Christian Leo Willie the
starting loose Ford trio, Camroy Guard at half back, Bowden
(00:34):
Barrett at ten, Rico Yowani on the left wing, Jordi
Barrett at second five, Billy Proctor at center, sever Reese
out on the right wing, Will Jordan at fullback. The
reserves bench Semmasonatucky Yaho, Ollie Norris another debutante pasili Or
Tossy Sammapenny Fee now duplefe Cortez, Ratam Quintepayer and Damien
McKenzie not available due to injury to Mighty Williams, troll Lo,
(00:55):
Max Wallace, a Titi, Luke Jacobson and Antoinett. Lennet Brown
that was the All Black side named earlier today to
face France Indonedan on Saturday, and as I mentioned, I
caught up with new All Black You'll come off the
bench on Saturday night Duplessy Kalifi round about an hour
ago at the team hotel and asked him how the
nerves and emotion is for him about forty eight hours
(01:17):
out from his test table.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Yeah, it's an exciting time, I guess, not just for
me but the other four boys, three boys who are
also getting their debut, but not just us, the whole
team really, first first test and a big series. So yeah,
plenty to look forward to, and personally, yeah, plenty to
look forward to.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Had a lot to be excited about.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
But yeah, just ready for the rubber to hit the
road and stick and so yeah, just keen to.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Go to work.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Talk us through the week. Has it been what you expected?
Different to what you expected?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Yeah, exactly what I expected, yeap.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
World class coaching, yeah, world class players and everyone just
going about doing their job. The beautiful thing about being
all exits you don't have to worry about anyone else.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Yeah, you just make sure you're in the right place
at the right time, doing the right thing. And everyone
else is doing the same so has been.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Men.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
What are the coaches asked of you this Saturday night
when you come on, whether that's in the first half,
second half, wherever it might be.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Just to bring energy, No different from anyone else coming
off coming off the pine. You just want want those
boys to have a positive impact on the game and
bring good energy and lift the boys out there, because
no doubt they'll be feeling it.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Yeah. Test footy is a beast and it's hard and fast.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
So when we come on, just yeah, a big smile
on our face and try to lift the boys energy
and contribute in a positive way.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Yeah. No, passengers really can't go on and go unnoticed.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The I guess the four debutants in the team, how
much you bring energy to this team? Whereas there a
natural energy given it as the first test of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Yeah, I think there's definitely a natural energy. You know,
for us debutants, you know, the emotion and the energy
says that's naturally going to be there. There's no there's
no need for us to manage fecture that or bring
it an artificially.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
And I'd say the same for the rest of the group.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
You know, like has been a long Super season and
I know some of those boys have have had a
bigger break than others.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
And they'll be ready to go.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
On the other side of that, you've got boys who
you know from ah Super last weekend, so they're primed.
You know, they've had a week off one to rest
the shoulders and the bodies and they'll be in the
perfect spot to just keep playing and keep moving the
game forward. So yeah, the energy is naturally going to
be there, and we're all excited to be down here
in Dunedin in front of a sold out crowd at
Forsyth Bar, and I know there are a lot of
(03:43):
people who are looking forward to seeing a couple of
local boys run out, so it's a special moment for
them as well.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
The new Caps as well, you know, the loose Ford
trio Christianly are Willy coming into the mix as well.
What do you expect, I guess the starting loose forward
to bring with Tupo there as well, starting on the
blind Sofe link.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Just big boys.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Really yeah, Christians had an amazing year off the back
of a couple of amazing years are really so he's
built some real momentum and yeah, just stoked for him.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
You know, he's worked really hard.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
And at the Crusaders to be to be a big
boy and one that gets his team moving forward in
the right direction on the field, and for him to
be rewarded, you know as part of a pretty strong
loose treo is awesome and.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
We're all stoked for him too.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
So I guess just adds a bit of a bit
of size and heights, you know, which is another big
thing in the line out obviously to couple with Scooter
and Faves. So and then you've got Adds who's just yeah,
just does his just does his thing, and we all
just sit there and watch and all. But yeah, I'm
just honestly, bro, just yeah, super grateful to be a
(04:46):
part of that loose forward group. Not just in this team,
but you know, historically it's been something that has been
a talking point for the All Blecks for a very
long time. And yeah, just really grateful to be able
to contribute in a small way at the moment and
hopefully grow that moving forward.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Addie said, sorry, Christianly what I said that? He just said,
just do your job. Whose was his message to him
as that you offered a message to you this week?
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Yeah, the same one. I guess the.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Same one, like, yeah, we're roomies this week, which is
mint here was my roomy when I made my debut
for the canes Um and rooms together.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Yeah, throughout our career together before we moved off.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So it's nice to feel in a sense a bit
of comfortability in a somewhat new environment. But yeah, he's
the man, Yeah, pretty much. I don't know if he's
actually given me that message.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
He probably has, but you know, I'm we're around each
other every day.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But yeah, I would say that's the nuts and bolts
of it from him as just like I said earlier,
just focus on your job and trying to enjoy the moment.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It's a great video of you doing the rounds on
Small Black's TV about fifteen years ago. Have you gone
back and watched that ball boy for the Irish Test
and you Plymouth and I think twenty ten.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Yeah, I've watched it. Not not by my own doing that.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
It's just gets sent to me about four hundred times
each time that does the round. So yeah, yeah, pretty cool,
pretty cool video.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
No idea back then.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Where life would take me, obviously, and I probably didn't
have a goal to play professional rugby, let alone being
all black at that age, I was just happy to
obviously get free pies and watch some footy with the boys.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
So yeah, real cool, And I guess it's just.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
A yeah, it's just a testament to a young New
Zealand boy someone boys dreamers, just loving rugby and growing
up in a country that that adores the sports, and yeah,
just finding his way throughout, you know, as teenageers and
(06:48):
young adult life into into the professional game. So yeah,
it's a it's a it's a cool video to look on,
I guess to see.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
The start of my journey.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Just a couple of final ones anthem plays Saturday night,
Hukker feeling ready to go for for what that'll bring,
the emotions that that naturally brings on a on a debut.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, I'm pretty emotional to begin with. I think everyone
knows that. So yeah, doing those things like playing is
but being able to sing the national anthem and perform
the hackers is special and definitely things that I'm looking
forward to doing. And I'm hoping I don't get swept
up in the moment and forget to be present, because
(07:31):
those are those are big moments, and there are things
that a lot of people dream of doing and never
get to achieve.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
So being able to.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Perform the hunker and sing the national anthem with my
parents and family in the stands is something that a.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Lot of people, you know, want to work towards.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
So yeah, I'll just work really hard to be present
in that moment and not try to think about the
first tackle and the first carrier that.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
I have to make when I'm on the field.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It was my last question. Family got plenty of tickets
sorted for Saturday.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Night, not as many, I guess as we would have liked.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
It's a bit of a mission to get in and
out of Dunedin, so we said, ty how and we'll
unload it.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
We'll light up in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So I'll be looking to order about whether or not
I'm whether I'm playing or not.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I'll be looking to order about one hundred tickets from fee.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
But yeah, Mum, dad, in laws and a couple of
my siblings who made the trip, which would be very
special for us.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
All good luck said or not cheery it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Thank you 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 Waldegrave
from News Talk zed b Well.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The All Blacks team released for the first Test of
the year against Franz Indoneda on Saturday. If you haven't
caught up with it, Ethan Degrut at Lucia Prop, Cody
Taylor at hooker, Fletcher Newell tid ed prop from then on,
Scott Barrett the captain, Fabian Holland on debut in the
second row two pro viy Ardisavi, Christian Leo Willie the
starting loose Ford trio, Camroy Guard at half back, Bowden
(00:34):
Barrett at ten, Rico Yowani on the left wing, Jordi
Barrett at second five, Billy Proctor at center, sever Reese
out on the right wing, Will Jordan at fullback. The
reserves bench Semmasonatucky Yaho, Ollie Norris another debutante pasili Or
Tossy Sammapenny Fee now duplefe Cortez, Ratam Quintepayer and Damien
McKenzie not available due to injury to Mighty Williams, troll Lo,
(00:55):
Max Wallace, a Titi, Luke Jacobson and Antoinett. Lennet Brown
that was the All Black side named earlier today to
face France Indonedan on Saturday, and as I mentioned, I
caught up with new All Black You'll come off the
bench on Saturday night Duplessy Kalifi round about an hour
ago at the team hotel and asked him how the
nerves and emotion is for him about forty eight hours
(01:17):
out from his test table.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Yeah, it's an exciting time, I guess, not just for
me but the other four boys, three boys who are
also getting their debut, but not just us, the whole
team really, first first test and a big series. So yeah,
plenty to look forward to, and personally, yeah, plenty to
look forward to.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Had a lot to be excited about.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
But yeah, just ready for the rubber to hit the
road and stick and so yeah, just keen to.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Go to work.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Talk us through the week. Has it been what you expected?
Different to what you expected?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Yeah, exactly what I expected, yeap.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
World class coaching, yeah, world class players and everyone just
going about doing their job. The beautiful thing about being
all exits you don't have to worry about anyone else.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Yeah, you just make sure you're in the right place
at the right time, doing the right thing. And everyone
else is doing the same so has been.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
Men.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
What are the coaches asked of you this Saturday night
when you come on, whether that's in the first half,
second half, wherever it might be.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Just to bring energy, No different from anyone else coming
off coming off the pine. You just want want those
boys to have a positive impact on the game and
bring good energy and lift the boys out there, because
no doubt they'll be feeling it.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Yeah. Test footy is a beast and it's hard and fast.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
So when we come on, just yeah, a big smile
on our face and try to lift the boys energy
and contribute in a positive way.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Yeah. No, passengers really can't go on and go unnoticed.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The I guess the four debutants in the team, how
much you bring energy to this team? Whereas there a
natural energy given it as the first test of the season.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Yeah, I think there's definitely a natural energy. You know,
for us debutants, you know, the emotion and the energy
says that's naturally going to be there. There's no there's
no need for us to manage fecture that or bring
it an artificially.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
And I'd say the same for the rest of the group.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
You know, like has been a long Super season and
I know some of those boys have have had a
bigger break than others.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
And they'll be ready to go.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
On the other side of that, you've got boys who
you know from ah Super last weekend, so they're primed.
You know, they've had a week off one to rest
the shoulders and the bodies and they'll be in the
perfect spot to just keep playing and keep moving the
game forward. So yeah, the energy is naturally going to
be there, and we're all excited to be down here
in Dunedin in front of a sold out crowd at
Forsyth Bar, and I know there are a lot of
(03:43):
people who are looking forward to seeing a couple of
local boys run out, so it's a special moment for
them as well.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
The new Caps as well, you know, the loose Ford
trio Christianly are Willy coming into the mix as well.
What do you expect, I guess the starting loose forward
to bring with Tupo there as well, starting on the
blind Sofe link.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Just big boys.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Really yeah, Christians had an amazing year off the back
of a couple of amazing years are really so he's
built some real momentum and yeah, just stoked for him.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
You know, he's worked really hard.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
And at the Crusaders to be to be a big
boy and one that gets his team moving forward in
the right direction on the field, and for him to
be rewarded, you know as part of a pretty strong
loose treo is awesome and.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
We're all stoked for him too.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
So I guess just adds a bit of a bit
of size and heights, you know, which is another big
thing in the line out obviously to couple with Scooter
and Faves. So and then you've got Adds who's just yeah,
just does his just does his thing, and we all
just sit there and watch and all. But yeah, I'm
just honestly, bro, just yeah, super grateful to be a
(04:46):
part of that loose forward group. Not just in this team,
but you know, historically it's been something that has been
a talking point for the All Blecks for a very
long time. And yeah, just really grateful to be able
to contribute in a small way at the moment and
hopefully grow that moving forward.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Addie said, sorry, Christianly what I said that? He just said,
just do your job. Whose was his message to him
as that you offered a message to you this week?
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Yeah, the same one. I guess the.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Same one, like, yeah, we're roomies this week, which is
mint here was my roomy when I made my debut
for the canes Um and rooms together.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Yeah, throughout our career together before we moved off.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
So it's nice to feel in a sense a bit
of comfortability in a somewhat new environment. But yeah, he's
the man, Yeah, pretty much. I don't know if he's
actually given me that message.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
He probably has, but you know, I'm we're around each
other every day.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
But yeah, I would say that's the nuts and bolts
of it from him as just like I said earlier,
just focus on your job and trying to enjoy the moment.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
It's a great video of you doing the rounds on
Small Black's TV about fifteen years ago. Have you gone
back and watched that ball boy for the Irish Test
and you Plymouth and I think twenty ten.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Yeah, I've watched it. Not not by my own doing that.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
It's just gets sent to me about four hundred times
each time that does the round. So yeah, yeah, pretty cool,
pretty cool video.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
No idea back then.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Where life would take me, obviously, and I probably didn't
have a goal to play professional rugby, let alone being
all black at that age, I was just happy to
obviously get free pies and watch some footy with the boys.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
So yeah, real cool, And I guess it's just.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
A yeah, it's just a testament to a young New
Zealand boy someone boys dreamers, just loving rugby and growing
up in a country that that adores the sports, and yeah,
just finding his way throughout, you know, as teenageers and
(06:48):
young adult life into into the professional game. So yeah,
it's a it's a it's a cool video to look on,
I guess to see.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
The start of my journey.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Just a couple of final ones anthem plays Saturday night,
Hukker feeling ready to go for for what that'll bring,
the emotions that that naturally brings on a on a debut.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, I'm pretty emotional to begin with. I think everyone
knows that. So yeah, doing those things like playing is
but being able to sing the national anthem and perform
the hackers is special and definitely things that I'm looking
forward to doing. And I'm hoping I don't get swept
up in the moment and forget to be present, because
(07:31):
those are those are big moments, and there are things
that a lot of people dream of doing and never
get to achieve.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
So being able to.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Perform the hunker and sing the national anthem with my
parents and family in the stands is something that a.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Lot of people, you know, want to work towards.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
So yeah, I'll just work really hard to be present
in that moment and not try to think about the
first tackle and the first carrier that.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
I have to make when I'm on the field.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
It was my last question. Family got plenty of tickets
sorted for Saturday.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Night, not as many, I guess as we would have liked.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
It's a bit of a mission to get in and
out of Dunedin, so we said, ty how and we'll
unload it.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
We'll light up in Wellington.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
So I'll be looking to order about whether or not
I'm whether I'm playing or not.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I'll be looking to order about one hundred tickets from fee.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
But yeah, Mum, dad, in laws and a couple of
my siblings who made the trip, which would be very
special for us.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
All good luck said or not cheery it.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Thank you 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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