The Blues’ Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific title defence has suffered a major setback after All Blacks lock Sam Darry has been ruled out of the 2025 season with an injury.
The defending champions have confirmed that Darry suffered a right shoulder injury in training and will require surgery.
It is yet unclear how much time he will miss this year, but the Blues confirmed that while Darry would be out for the entire Super Rugby campaign, there are hopes he would return to play ahead of the All Blacks' test season.
The All Blacks' first test comes against reigning Rugby World Cup champions the Springboks on September 6 at Eden Park.
Darry made his test debut as injury replacement for his Blues captain, Patrick Tuipulotu, in the one-off match against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians last year and made five further appearances for the All Blacks last year.
The Blues will kick start their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Chiefs next Saturday in Auckland’s Eden Park at 6.05pm.
Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Brumbies next Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 3.35pm.
Source: The New Zealand Herald
