Blues and All Blacks lock Sam Darry, currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, has re-signed with the Blues and New Zealand Rugby for another three years.
Darry, 24, ruled out of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season in February, said his injury was frustrating.
“You work bloody hard over summer to get yourself right to try and build on what was a good year last year and to have it taken away is difficult,” Darry told 1News.
“You kind of have to come to terms with it quickly and work on other things. I thought it may not be too bad but I think it was the first home game where it hit home that you don’t get to go out on to the field.
“I'm hoping for two and a half months, I'm out for Super Rugby which is tough… now it's all about locking in for NPC for Canterbury.”
The 2.03m Darry impressed with his toughness and workrate after arriving in Auckland from Christchurch in 2021 and he made his All Blacks Test debut against Fiji last year.
He played six Tests in total last year.
“Pretty surreal - it happens very quickly,” he told 1News of making the All Blacks. “You have this dream since you're four or five that you've had in the back of your mind.
“We played the Super Rugby final and then three days later we are in camp and then three weeks later I'm playing my first Test.”
Blues general manager of rugby Murray Williams said Darry’s extension is a major win for the club.
“Sam is tall, tough, and a student of the game," he said. "He’s worked incredibly hard to develop his body and skillset, and we’ve seen the results in his performances,” he said.
“He’s already a leader in our pack and we’re thrilled he’s committed to the Blues for the next three seasons.”
After winning the championship last year, the Blues have won only four of their 11 matches this season and sit in seventh place.
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