All Blacks and Blues lock Sam Darry is set to miss the entire Super Rugby season.
The SR defending champions confirmed Wednesday that Darry suffered a right shoulder injury in training and will likely require surgery.
The Blues said he was likely to miss the Super Rugby season but might be able to return in time for the All Blacks Tests, starting with a clash against the Springboks in September.
Darry made his Test debut against Fiji last year and played another five Tests to establish himself as a regular member of the 23 under Scott Robertson.
Sam Darry of the Blues celebrates his try during the Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final match between Blues and ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, on June 14, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, man mountain All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe has announced his retirement from rugby.
The second-heaviest ever All Black played 59 Super Rugby games and 27 Tests before departing to France to play for Montpellier in 2022.
His was a remarkable story – turning back to rugby in a bid to turn his health issues around after his weight soared to 175kg. He shed 40kg and won a pro contract.
On Instagram, Tu’inukuafe, 31, said: “I was never great, but I was always grateful – me, my whole career.
“I never played NZ Secondary Schools, NZU20′s. I never dreamt of becoming a pro footy player but God had other plans. If you think you’re too overweight or getting too old to go pro, never fold. It’s been done before.
“The last 10 years were great.”
He told the New Zealand Herald that his life was changed in 2014 when he visited a doctor, having quit rugby and taken a sedentary job.
“I was complaining about a bit of pain in my legs and the doctor explained all the bad health decisions I was making,” said Tu’inukuafe.
“My eating was leading towards a heart attack or whatever. When he told me to lose weight, the easiest way was to play rugby with my brothers and family.
“I would rather do it with them on the field rather than try to do it on my own. That made it easier.”
