From ball boy to All Black DuPlessis Kirifi’s journey to the black jersey come full circle.
For newly capped All Black Du Plessis Kirifi, nothing beats the club rugby memories as a youngster.
So when the All Blacks travelled to the Te Papapa Rugby Club in Auckland a couple of weeks back, it was an opportunity for Kirifi to help out where he could and to give back to some young fans.
“I played for three clubs, Tu Kapa, Fraser Tech in Hamilton and Norths in Porirua. And it’s a massive part of where we come from,” Kirifi says.
“But not only that, the people we also represent and the people that also support us to, I guess, be here now; it’s an awesome opportunity to show some love from where we came from. ”
The 28-year-old loose forward helped around the club, doing spoke painting and also providing assistance at the tuck shop. The experience, rekindling some early childhood memories for Kirifi.
“Car pooling to the games, barefoot for a little bit there,” he reminisced.
“We used to play from across the field out in Taranaki and it was pretty cold, nice long hot shower after. But yeah, just as a kid, it’s awesome. You look forward to playing with your mates and getting some hot chips after from the bakery with mum and dad.”
Another important memory for him is the time he spent as a ball boy at an All Blacks game when he was younger.
A video of him as a ball boy that day has surfaced online since being named in the All Blacks and, for Kirifi, it’s a full circle moment being able to look back at that footage.
“It’s crazy when you watch that video because, at the time, I’m just a kid that loves sport,” he says.
“I always loved rugby really but at that age I didn’t know where it would take me. So to be here now, it’s humbling, and it goes to show that dreams can come true.”
For Te Papapa Rugby Club Manager, Ben Eder, the opportunity to have the All Backs present was a milestone for the club and its youngsters.
“You know some of these kids feel that things may be tough for them but I know today they would have felt like the luckiest kids in the world,” Eder says.
“I’m sure there are bigger clubs they could have probably got more reach to but to give that to our kids is incredible and those kids will remember it for a lifetime.”
Kirifi will make his second appearance for the All Blacks tonight in the second test against France. It will be a huge occasion for him as he gets to play at home in Wellington in front of his family and loved ones.
Family is what matters the most for Kirifi, as he credits them for the success he has had throughout his rugby career.
“All of us are extremely lucky to have the people that we do in our lives,” he says.
“You know they humble us when they need to and they lift us up when we’re feeling down and I guess in a small way, coming back to grassroots like we are here today, at Te Papapa is a great reminder of where we’ve all come from as players.”
Being named in the All Blacks may have been a lifelong dream for Kirifi, but it was a dream he had to wait patiently for.
Having been on the brink of All Blacks selection in the past three to four years, his endurance and determination was what he relied on to get him to where he is now.
“Yeah I definitely took the long way around, but I am extremely grateful for all parts of my journey,” he says.
“There were some parts where it was harder than others and, you know, probably last year I was well down the radar. Probably part of it was also being accountable and looking at the things you need to work on, and not making excuses for yourself.
“I am a good example of a little bit of perseverance and some grit. It’s not always going to be sunshine and rainbows but you got to take the good and bad and keep moving forward.
“So yeah, just keep at it young kids at home. You know, like, enjoy the process. Not every day is going to be good. But enjoy the grind and enjoy learning and be better as a rugby player and as a person”
