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<\/a> <\/p>\nWellington<\/a> have thrown a curveball at old foes Auckland<\/a> ahead of Saturday\u2019s NPC showdown, naming All Black Du\u2019Plessis Kirifi at inside centre.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old has 129 first-class games to his name, including eight with the All Blacks<\/a>, and has never started in any jersey other than the No.7.<\/p>\n Perhaps the most discussed All Blacks omission in 2026, Kirifi started in his familiar openside flanker role in round 1 of the new NPC season last week, with Wellington falling to Hawke\u2019s Bay despite Kirifi\u2019s best efforts. The Hurricanes<\/a> co-captain won four turnovers and chipped in on attack with 12 carries and a try.<\/p>\n Divad Palu made his debut for the province at second-five last week, and has shifted to the centre channel to accommodate Kirifi\u2019s bold switch this time out. The move has given Sione Halalilo his chance to shine in the No.7 jersey.<\/p>\n The change comes after a small cohort of physically capable backline players have dipped their toes in the waters of loose forward work recently, building momentum behind the \u2018hybrid\u2019 player concept.<\/p>\n Leicester<\/a> Fainga\u2019anuku grabbed headlines for his impressive transition from the midfield to the openside flank for the Crusaders<\/a> this year, having gained experience in the position at the back end of games for Toulon<\/a> previously. Springbok Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen has spent time in the loose trio late in games also, while Fiji\u2019s Levani Botia has a near-even split of games in the backs and forwards throughout his 13 years of professional rugby since leaving the Sevens circuit.<\/p>\n Kirifi starting his career in the loose trio makes him a more unique case among the aspiring hybrid players, with Saturday\u2019s clash at the Western Springs Bowl sure to draw plenty of attention as he looks to give All Blacks selectors a taste of his broader skillset.<\/p>\n Auckland <\/p>\n Wellington <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/501.png.webp\"\/)
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