Du'Plessis Kirifi: 'It’s no surprise' NPC final went to 100 minutes

After 100 minutes of brutal end-to-end rugby,  the Wellington Lions defeated the Bay of Plenty Steamers 23-20 in a blockbuster end to the 2024 NPC season.

The final went back and forth before an extra 20 minutes of extra time was needed after the teams couldn’t be separated in 80 minutes.

Lions’ captain Du’Plessis Kirifi has praised his team’s overall effort in an energy-sapping final.

“Wasn’t sure if we had it in the bag till about the 100th minute, but just so proud of this group, they worked bloody hard, ” Kirifi told Sky Sport. 

Kirifi may be heading north with the All Blacks XV in the coming days, but his form of late isn’t making life any easier for All Blacks selectors.

The captain stood up when it mattered, leading from the front in a monumental effort on both sides of the ball. 

“That’s what we train for, moments like that. It’s no surprise we went to 100 minutes, so I’m just glad I had just enough in the tank to get there.”

Kirifi hasn’t been alone on the journey as captain, acknowledging many of his experienced teammates.

“Peter Umaga Jensen, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields and Julian Savea the boys who wore the captain’s armband while I was out for 2 months, they carried this team, and they still do, so to have those guys in the group helping me out, it’s an absolute dream.

Du’Plessis Kirifi paid tribute to first five Jackson Garden Bachop who played his 100th game for Wellington.

“Jackson is an absolute cornerstone of this team, and 100 games is no mean feat, and it’s not something you see often at this level, so for him to get 100 but also another championship, bloody proud of him.”

Jackson Garden-Bachop returned to New Zealand from playing overseas earlier this year, after the sudden passing of his younger brother Connor, but the first five couldn’t be happier with his homecoming.

“It’s pretty surreal to be honest how the stars have aligned. I wasn’t supposed to be here this season, but I’m so happy that I have been able to come home to my friends and family. Playing for this team this season has been a byproduct of needing to be at home, so man I couldn’t be happier right now.

“The boys deserve this, they work so hard, and to do it in front of our family and friends at home it’s pretty surreal right now.

“I love this city, I love this team, it’s been such a big part of my life for so long now.”

The Lions proved to have the experience to close out the game, led by 38-year-old bench hooker Hika Elliot, who answered an SOS call from Wellington’s head coach Alando Soakai last week ahead of the final. 

“I got a phone call late Sunday night, we were celebrating my daughter’s birthday, obviously we had to go through some New Zealand Rugby stuff, then I was on a flight on Tuesday morning, 5 minutes in the changing room and then straight out onto the training field.”

Although Elliot had been playing for South Canterbury during this year’s Heartland championship, he enjoyed the lifted intensity. 

“Doing it for all the old dogs out there, it doesn’t matter how old you are if you come in prepared and you’re ready, then anything is possible.”