In a dramatic twist to their Grand Slam aspirations, the All Blacks' lineup has been rocked by the withdrawal of stalwart lock Patrick Tuipulotu, due to a worsening shoulder injury demanding surgery. This significant blow has thrust Sam Darry into the spotlight as he joins the squad to fill the void left by Tuipulotu.
With the tour looming, head coach Scott Robertson finds himself forced to rejig his 36-man squad, calling up Darry, who last donned the national jersey in 2024. The Canterbury player's recent stellar performances in the National Provincial Championship have evidently earned him this recall, highlighting his readiness to step up to international duties once again.
Tuipulotu's shoulder issue, compounded by a series of injuries including a facial injury during the Rugby Championship and previous setbacks involving a jaw fracture and a knee ligament issue, sidelines him for approximately six months. This rules him out not only of the Grand Slam tour but also a substantial part of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
"This is a tough blow for Patrick and for us. However, it's an opportunity for Sam to step up and show what he's got on the biggest stage,"
said Robertson, emphasizing the dual nature of the situation.
The absence of Tuipulotu leaves a considerable gap in experience in the second-row, with Scott Barrett now bearing the brunt of leadership and expertise. The other locks, Darry, Fabian Holland, and Josh Lord, collectively boast fewer than 30 Test caps, underscoring a youthful but relatively green engine room.
The All Blacks' campaign kicks off against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 1, followed by a challenging lineup of matches against Scotland at Murrayfield, England at Twickenham, and Wales at the Principality Stadium on subsequent weekends.
As for Tuipulotu, the towering lock's career has been notable, having debuted for the All Blacks against England in 2014 and later captaining both the Blues and the national team. His leadership was instrumental in the Blues' 2024 Super Rugby Pacific championship win, marking him as a player of significant influence and ability.
The All Blacks XV squad for the tour includes Dalton Papali’i among eight internationals, promising a blend of experience and fresh talent on this pivotal tour. The rugby world will be watching closely to see how this reshuffled team tackles the challenges ahead, with high hopes pinned on Darry to rise to the occasion.
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In a dramatic twist to their Grand Slam aspirations, the All Blacks' lineup has been rocked by the withdrawal of stalwart lock Patrick Tuipulotu, due to a worsening shoulder injury demanding surgery. This significant blow has thrust Sam Darry into the spotlight as he joins the squad to fill the void left by Tuipulotu.
With the tour looming, head coach Scott Robertson finds himself forced to rejig his 36-man squad, calling up Darry, who last donned the national jersey in 2024. The Canterbury player's recent stellar performances in the National Provincial Championship have evidently earned him this recall, highlighting his readiness to step up to international duties once again.
Tuipulotu's shoulder issue, compounded by a series of injuries including a facial injury during the Rugby Championship and previous setbacks involving a jaw fracture and a knee ligament issue, sidelines him for approximately six months. This rules him out not only of the Grand Slam tour but also a substantial part of the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
"This is a tough blow for Patrick and for us. However, it's an opportunity for Sam to step up and show what he's got on the biggest stage,"
said Robertson, emphasizing the dual nature of the situation.The absence of Tuipulotu leaves a considerable gap in experience in the second-row, with Scott Barrett now bearing the brunt of leadership and expertise. The other locks, Darry, Fabian Holland, and Josh Lord, collectively boast fewer than 30 Test caps, underscoring a youthful but relatively green engine room.
The All Blacks' campaign kicks off against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 1, followed by a challenging lineup of matches against Scotland at Murrayfield, England at Twickenham, and Wales at the Principality Stadium on subsequent weekends.
As for Tuipulotu, the towering lock's career has been notable, having debuted for the All Blacks against England in 2014 and later captaining both the Blues and the national team. His leadership was instrumental in the Blues' 2024 Super Rugby Pacific championship win, marking him as a player of significant influence and ability.
The All Blacks XV squad for the tour includes Dalton Papali’i among eight internationals, promising a blend of experience and fresh talent on this pivotal tour. The rugby world will be watching closely to see how this reshuffled team tackles the challenges ahead, with high hopes pinned on Darry to rise to the occasion.