All Blacks: Snubbed forward makes surprising positional switch for NPC clash

Snubbed All Blacks loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi will start at inside centre for Wellington in Saturday’s National Provincial Championship (NPC) game against Auckland at Western Springs.

Wellington head coach Trent Renata announced his matchday on Wednesday and Kirifi’s selection in his new position was the big talking point.

Forced to move due to injuries

Kirifi, who usually plies his trade on the openside flank, has been moved to his new backline position due to injuries in Wellington’s squad.

The Lions started their NPC campaign with a 52-33 home loss to Hawke’s Bay last week while Auckland suffered a 38-31 defeat against Canterbury in their tournament opener in Christchurch.

After playing a leading role for the Hurricanes during their triumphant Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Kirifi was a shock omission from All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s 44-man squad for their Greatest Rivalry tour to South Africa.

The Hurricanes co-captain was a regular in the All Blacks squad under former head coach Scott Robertson last year but hasn’t got a look-in under Rennie despite his strong performances in Super Rugby Pacific.

Instead, Rennie retained Ardie Savea, Anton Segner, Luke Jacobson, Wallace Sititi, Simon Parker and Peter Lakai as his loose forwards after they were all on duty during the Nations Championship last month, while also bringing in Crusaders stalwart Ethan Blackadder and the uncapped Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.

At the time, Rennie admitted that that Kirifi is a ‘good player’ and performed well for the Hurricanes in 2026, he feels there is sufficient cover for the openside flanker position.

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“I spoke to a handful of guys, so I’m not going to go into those in massive detail, but as you’ve seen with the guys that we used in the Nations Championship, those boys fronted well for us,” the All Blacks boss explained.

‘Dups is a good player’

“Luke, Anton, Peter Lakai, and Ardie can all play seven, and Dups is a good player; he had a good season, but there are good players who have missed the squad, not just him.

“His job is to go away, keep working hard, and be ready if an opportunity arises. I’d be surprised if we don’t call someone in at some stage.”

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The All Blacks will get their Greatest Rivalry tour underway against the Stormers on Friday.

Focus will then turn to Wellington’s NPC clash with Auckland on Saturday and all eyes will be on Kirifi as he takes on the challenge in his new position.

He will be the second high profile All Black who is set for a hybrid role after utility back Leicester Fainga’anuku made the switch to the forwards for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific earlier this year.

Usually a winger or outside centre, Fainga’anuku moved to the openside flank and shone in that position in several match before being ruled out of the All Blacks’ Southb African tour after sustaining a lower leg fibula fracture and a high ankle sprain during the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific semi-final loss against the Chiefs in Hamilton in June.

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