ROOKIE WATCH: Darry rises high

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Here are our three standout rookies from round three:

3 points: Sam Darry (Blues)

Towering lock Sam Darry will not be forgetting his Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa debut in a hurry. The 20-year-old Dunedin-born Cantabrian didn’t put a foot wrong as the Blues surged to a 39-17 win over the Highlanders at Eden Park. Although it is early days, Darry will be feeling happy with his move north and excited by the prospect of taking on the Crusaders world class locking pair of Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett this weekend. With captain Patrick Tuipulotu by his side, Darry has no one better to serve his Super Rugby apprenticeship under in 2021.

2 points: Connor Garden-Bachop (Highlanders)

Showing his versatility at fullback against the Blues, 21-year-old excitement machine Connor Garden-Bachop was one of the Highlanders most dangerous weapons at Eden Park. Garden-Bachop tested the Blues defence throughout the full 80 minutes and showed his own worth at the back of the line with a number of crucial tackles.

1 point: Josh Lord (Chiefs)

Sam Darry wasn’t the only 20-year-old lock to impress in round three with Josh Lord putting in a fine performance in the second row for the Chiefs. At 2.02m, Lord has the physical attributes to excel at the highest level and wasn’t overawed by facing the Crusaders All Blacks pairing of Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett. With Brodie Retallick plying his trade in Japan this season, coach Clayton McMillan will be pleased with Lord’s seamless transition into the higher intensity and pace of Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa.  

NOTE: The qualification for rookies is players that are either playing in their first season of Super Rugby or who are playing their first season as a contracted player and have played less than five games prior to 2019.

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