Darry embraces lineout repair job

All Blacks lock Sam Darry is relishing the chance to help solve one of the tourists’ biggest problems against the Springboks. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.

The opportunity is enormous for Darry. At 26 and with only 10 caps, the lock is the least experienced of the All Blacks starting forwards named for Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium, yet he will be relied upon to steady a lineout that malfunctioned in Cape Town and a scrum that was similarly wobbly in the opening match at Ellis Park.

Darry, who found out about his selection on Monday, said he had no advance warning of the call-up.

“I didn’t really have any heads-up, so it was a bit of a surprise at first,” he said. “But staying ready and on top of the detail meant that when the opportunity came, I was ready for it.”

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That readiness, explained the Blues player, has been built through the tour’s midweek fixtures rather than sitting idle on the sidelines. The team talks about “staying ready”, the mindset required for the inevitable toll taken by injuries.

Fortunately for Darry, he steps into the second row alongside Tupou Vaa’i, who is celebrating his 50th Test, and the rookie lock was clear about where the lineout burden actually sits.

“It’s about making it as easy as possible for the hooker, trusting the lineout caller, and once the call is made, moving with speed and getting in the air,” he said.

“We talk a lot about the lift and jump being world-class. It’s very tough for the hooker if we’re not doing that. For us, it’s about controlling what we can, trusting the caller, and then executing.”

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Darry was equally focused on exit strategy, an area New Zealand have targeted after South Africa’s kicking game caused problems in Cape Town.

“There are a few tweaks we’ve made this week, because they like to kick to different areas, which puts us under pressure. We’ve talked through different scenarios. If they kick here, what we’re going to do and where we want to get to.”

Asked what the chance to help determine the series meant to him, Darry did not hide his excitement.

“I’ve watched a few of the games from the stands, and it’s been awesome watching the boys go to work, but as a player you’re competitive and you want to be out there,” he said.

“Against the Springboks, the reigning world champions, it’s exactly where you want to be.”

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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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