“To be completely honest, I’m not sure what I’m doing there,” Kirifi said.
“It’s a last resort of sorts. It’s really kind of a situation of whatever the team needs. I by no means nominated myself to play second-five, but it’s the next best option at this stage. Hopefully it’s just one week.
“This is not my desire at all to become this hybrid back-forward. But hey, who knows? It might go well this weekend and it might not.”
Kirifi’s move contrasts with the transition made by Leicester Fainga’anuku earlier this year, when the former winger and midfield back shifted to openside flanker for the Crusaders during the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Having never played in the position, Kirifi is under no illusions that it won’t be smooth sailing, particularly against Auckland, who were valiant in defeat to Canterbury in the opening round.
He will be going up against Pita Ahki and Xavi Taele, who are the midfield combination for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific.
Regardless, Kirifi says he is up for the challenge.
“I won’t hide the fact that there’s been a couple of lows accompanied by obviously a couple of highs in our household recently,” Kirifi said, referring to his partner Mila Reuelu-Buchanan winning gold with the Silver Ferns at the Commonwealth Games.
“I just love playing rugby and I love Wellington and the opportunity to play for them is something that I never take for granted.
“I wasn’t sure I’d be faced with another big challenge so early on in the season, but if they trust me enough,, then I’m going to do my absolute utmost to earn and keep that trust.
“Fingers crossed some of the boys come back from injury because I’d feel a lot more comfortable with a seven on my back, but if it’s a 12 this weekend, then so be it.”
Speaking at the All Blacks’ team naming to face the Stormers, Rennie says he was as surprised as anyone by the move.
“Definitely didn’t instigate,” Rennie said. “I wouldn’t have anticipated that.
“He’s an excellent player, so there’ll be a reason why they’re playing him at 12. It’ll be interesting to see how he goes.”
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
