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All Blacks lose Sam Darry for rest of Autumn Nations Series
By Ned Lester
A training injury has befallen All Blacks rookie Sam Darry and has ruled the lock out of the final two games of the team’s 2024 campaign.
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With a heavyweight battle against France next on New Zealand’s itinerary, the Kiwis will call in reinforcements from the All Blacks XV squad also currently touring Europe.
Head coach Scott Robertson is yet to decide who the next man up is for the team.
“Sam has got a knee injury, it happened at training, so he will be out four to six weeks,’’ Robertson revealed after Friday’s win over Ireland.
The candidates for promotion are the three second-rowers selected to play Georgia in Sunday’s All Blacks XV match. Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Isaia Walker-Leawere have been named to start with Fabian Holland on the bench.
Walker-Leawere was called upon when the team were in injury trouble earlier in the season, spending time with the All Blacks during The Rugby Championship as Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu dealt with injuries.
The Hurricanes lock put in a strong shift in the All Blacks XV’s opening game against Munster last weekend, although couldn’t avoid the attention of the referee’s whistle, a common fault of the abrasive 27-year-old.
22-year-old Fabian Holland was awarded Man of the Match in that contest and is touted as the man with the brightest future of the three players in the running. A recent World Rugby eligibility shift has made the Dutch-born prospect available for national selection.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi presents perhaps the safest pick of the bunch as one of Super Rugby Pacific’s best defensive lineout operators. He is also a fan favourite for his outgoing personality.
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Current injury replacements in the All Blacks include Brodie McAlister, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, Christian Lio-Willie, Harry Plummer and AJ Lam.
Elsewhere in the squad, Robertson also offered an update on Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett who missed the recent Ireland win due to concussion.
“All signs are good that they should be available. They have passed all (the tests) they need to date. It would be great to name them, they have worked hard,” he said.
I like Sam Darry but Fabian Holland is bigger, more powerful, and plays more aggressively and physically than Darry. So call in Holland as a replacement.
Both Holland and Darry are far better than Lord who has height but lacks the weight, power and toughness to clean out rucks and tackle against Tier I nations
All three will be first choice IMO as all three have advantages over each other. Which is actually better against tier one nations will more depend on how the team is trying to play.
I would've only thrown my support in for Holland pre AB XV tour, but now I'm not too sure. Plenty of other locks like Isiah Walker-Leawere have staked their claim. Same with Du Plessis Kirifi for that no 7 position. He'd be a perfect replacement for Sam Cane.
I honestly feel it's time Savea can be moved to the bench. We are overflowing with loose forward talent rn.
I agree Sam Darry and Fabian Holland are the future at lock.Real shame got injured. He played so well in his 2 outings for Canterbury against Waikato and the Quarter against the Makos. Like other non first choice All Blacks should have been allowed another week of provincial rugby before rejoining the All Backs. In Sam's case that is he and George Bell. George looked good too. Outstanding Crusaders and Tasman halfback has had even less rugby.
Why though? Both Taylor and Beauden are in their twilight years. Other, younger players have stepped up in their absence, and are in good form. Keep the momentum going.
Have them return for the Italy test, where a less experienced team will be fielded.
Beauden is in the twilight. But Codie Taylor has been in the best form of his career , from the time he returned to the Crusaders in May and then one of the best for the All Blacks. Aumua had a great game on Saturday. But against France Codie Taylor, if available must start. No place for Beauden . Will Jordan and Damien McKenzie have to keep there places. Beauden , only place at best is the bench.
Every chance that both of these guys will still be there at RWC-27
I prefer Taylor on the bench over Bell and Barrett on the bench over Perofeta any day of the week.