Standing 2.03 m and weighing 110 kg, Sam Darry is a towering lock, originally from Christchurch and a standout at Christ’s College where he captained the 1st XV and raced in a Maadi Cup-winning rowing eight.

He was named Canterbury Under-19 Player of the Year and selected for New Zealand Schools. He made his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2020 and then joined the Blues for 2021, where he steadily developed into a key figure in the second row.

In 2024 Darry earned his first caps for the All Blacks, making his Test debut against Fiji and then starting and scoring his first Test try against Argentina. His line-out accuracy, physicality and athleticism stood out.

Despite a shoulder injury ruling him out of the 2025 Super Rugby season, Darry remains a rising force with a promising future at international level.