ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
MIDFIELD MAYHEM
After being unfairly labelled as “just a flanker”, Du’Plessis Kirifi has taken drastic action in his quest to prove he is more than capable of playing multiple positions: he has moved approximately 10 metres across the field to second-five.
Kirifi has been named at no.12 for Saturday’s clash with Auckland, in what is a bid to prove he’s more than capable of playing not just as a flanker, but possibly capable of playing in the backline for the All Blacks
The Wellington Lions confirmed today that their revolutionary tactical plan for Saturday’s clash against Auckland at Western Springs is simple:
“Put Dupes at second five and see what happens.”
The surprise positional switch comes after Kirifi was left out of the All Blacks’ 44-man squad for the Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa, with selectors reportedly favouring players who could cover multiple positions in the forwards.
Sources close to the Lions say Kirifi took the feedback on board and immediately began searching for another position.
“I heard I needed to show I was versatile,” Kirifi said.
“So I thought, ‘Sweet, I’ll move from the side of the scrum to somewhere near the middle of the field and see if anyone notices.’”
The Lions coaching staff say the move has been a smooth transition, with Kirifi reportedly needing very little explanation about his new role.
“Apparently when we told him he was playing second-five, he asked if he was still allowed to chase people and hit them,” one Wellington staff member said.
“We said yes, and he was happy. Here’s hoping the All Blacks and Dave Rennie are as well.”
More to come.
