The All Blacks have been hit hard by injuries this season, particularly in their second row. With the retirement of legends Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick after the 2023 World Cup, New Zealand’s depth in this crucial area has been sorely tested. Captain Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu were supposed to anchor the All Blacks' lineout, but injuries to both players have left the team scrambling for reliable replacements.
In the midst of this crisis, Sam Darry, the 24-year-old Blues lock, has stepped up to fill the void. Making his Test debut against Fiji, Darry didn’t just hold his own—he thrived. His first start in the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina, despite the team's loss, was marked by a memorable try and solid performance in the lineout. Darry’s contribution was one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise a disappointing match for the All Blacks.
Darry’s experience on the field has been an eye-opener. “You’re half a second too late, half a second too early, or you miss something in the flow-on, and the repercussions of that are huge,” he shared, highlighting the razor-thin margins that define success or failure at the Test level.
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