With 65 appearances for the Hurricanes to his name, Hurricane #259 Du’Plessis Kirifi stands out as one of the most experienced players in our 2024 squad.

The 27-year-old hails from New Plymouth where he only took up rugby at the age of 11 after playing soccer in his earlier years. He attended Francis Douglas Memorial College, where he was classmates and First XV teammates, with fellow Hurricane and All Blacks star Jordie Barrett.

It didn’t take long for Kirifi to make his mark in rugby after high school, going onto play for the Taranaki & Waikato Under-19 sides. Not long after in 2017, he made his debut for Wellington in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) where he helped the Lions claim the title that year.

Not only did Kirifi’s talent grab everyone’s attention that season, so did his leadership qualities, as he was named Lions captain at just the age of 21, ahead of the 2019 NPC season. A role he currently still holds.

Kirifi’s barrage of strong performances led the openside flanker to his call up for the Hurricanes in 2019. He made his debut that year against the Waratahs and has not looked back ever since.

Those solid week in week out performances eventually translated into Kirifi getting a callup to the All Blacks squad in 2020. As one of the best no.7’s in the country, with the ability to turn over opposition ball quickly, Kirifi will no doubt be on the radar for higher honours again.

Kirifi, who is of Samoan descent, often gets asked if he has South African links due to his Afrikaans first name. His father Polaiu’amea (Jack) – who played flanker for Ponsonby as well as made a wider Manu Samoa squad in the 80’s – did name his son after good friend and former Springboks captain Morne du Plessis, after playing against him in a world club tournament in France.

Named the Supreme Winner at the 2023 Porirua Sports Awards, Kirifi has a big influence on the Hurricanes on and off the field and has become somewhat of a folk hero among Hurricanes fans.

Expect massive things from Kirifi in 2024, who outside of rugby likes to dive, walk his dogs, and play poker.