1220 Sam Darry

A promising lock from Canterbury who enjoyed sporting success in Christchurch for Christ’s College where he captained the 1st XV and was a member of the school rowing eight that won the Maadi Cup.

He was also selected as the Canterbury Under-19 player of the year and selected for the New Zealand Schools as well as a New Zealand Under-20 trialist with Covid-19 ruling out the 2020 IRB Under-20 Rugby World Cup.

Boasting a 2.03m frame, Sam progressed to the Canterbury team for the 2020 Mitre-10 Cup campaign, making his debut in the Ranfurly Shield defence against North Otago. He went on to play six times for Canterbury.

In a desire to develop his game and be more self-sufficient, Sam made the bold move to sign a three-year contract with the Blues from 2021 although will continue to play provincial rugby for Canterbury.

His mother Katrina is the nutritionist for the All Blacks and a number of the family have been international rowers.

Sam made his debut for the club in Round Three of Super Rugby Aotearoa in a dominant performance against the Highlanders.