Du’Plessis Kirifi in hot water for lockdown breach

Planet Rugby

Hurricanes and Wellington Lions loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi is in hot water with New Zealand’s authorities after he was caught partying during the Level Four lockdown in Wellington.

Kirifi, who is Wellington’s captain during their National Provincial Championship campaign, issued a public apology for the lockdown breaches after he and his girlfriend, netballer Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, hosted and attended parties.

“I want to apologise to the Wellington community, family and friends, as well as WRFU (Wellington Rugby Football Union) and Hurricanes rugby for breaching lockdown,” he said via a statement on WRFU’s official website.

“I take full responsibility for my actions here. I’m hugely disappointed with myself and this huge error of judgement. I know every day, thousands of people are working tirelessly to stop Covid-19, so for me to break my bubble was selfish and immature.”

WRFU CEO Mathew Evans expressed his disappointed at Kirifi’s actions.

Unacceptable decision-making

“We expect our players to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the high standards of WRFU and the Wellington Lions, and as such, we’re disappointed with Kirifi’s unacceptable decision-making regarding the breach,” he said.

“We’ve spoken to the player in question, and he has taken full responsibility for his conduct in this incident. He knows it was unacceptable and is disappointed with himself.”

According to a Stuff report, a complaint has been made to the New Zealand police. The police did not comment on whether they were investigating Kirifi and Reuelu-Buchanan, but said they would “attend any complaints as required”.