July 2, 2026 • 7 mins
Sam Darry may play for the Auckland Blues, but he grew up in Christchurch.
He’s been named in the starting line-up for tomorrow night's test against France and joined Canterbury Mornings ahead of the first test under the roof at One NZ Stadium.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All Black Locks. Sam Dowry. He grew up here. You
know his name. He went to christ College and he's
been named in the starting lineup for tomorrow night and
he's worth us now, kidda.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Sam, John here are you going? Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Pretty well?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Now?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I know you're with the Blues at the moment, but
you are from christ Church originally. How does it feel
being in the first All Blacks team to play at
one New Zealand Stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
It's very special, you know obviously, as you say, I'm
playing maraviy up in awkward now, but still playing with
NBC down here in Canterbury, and Mum and Dad still
live down here and still spend a lot of time
down here, so to be back down here prepare for
a test match is pretty special.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You must have been about ten when the earth quakes happened.
Did you go to the old Lincaster Park much when
you were young?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I did a long time. I was eleven when the
earth quakes happened. I think I went once or twice,
but very vague memories here.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Now you captain the first fifteen at Christ College. But
rowing was another sport you did well and you won
the Mighty Cup with Christ in twenty eighteen. I mean,
I love rowing. Is there anything from your rowing days
that you reckon helped you prepare to be an All Blacknest?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
See you quite a lot? To be fair, I think
the work ethic and habits around training and recovery and
all sorts mentally set me up. So I guess my
career in rugby. And you know, I'm still of the
belief that some of the hardest training I've done in
my life was back at school when I was rowing.
(01:37):
You know, because it's not a contact sport, and because
you're not running, your body recovers a lot clicker so
they can take in a lot more sessions than at
a high intensity. So, you know, I like to think
that one of my strengths is my work rate and
engine and I think a lot of that came from
my rowing background.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I mean, after the rowing season, you must have been
so much further than the other guys in the first
fifteen I was, but.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I was probably skin and bone, which you know, as
a tall, lanky kid didn't help. But I think it's important,
you know, in those early years are life. When you're
at high school, you know not to specialize too early
and have good balance. And I think once I leave school,
I turned my focus to trying to get on a
bit of weight, because, yeah, I said, there was much
to me at that stage.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Speaking of your build and your body. How's the shoulder,
because it's been causing you some grief? What rolling you
out of the competition last year, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah? Yeah, so I missed also breaky last year, but
tak pleased. Since then, it's been pretty good. I haven't
had too many issues with it, so hopefully it stays
that way.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
When you have something like that, does it freak you
out and does it make you a little bit cautious
in terms of throwing yourself around, Well it.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Doesn't necessarily, but to be pretty honest with you, it's
the recovery processes is in reyhead. Process is very rigorous
and they put you through a lot and there's a
lot of testing and all sorts that goes on behind
the scenes before you get back on the field. So
before that first game, there's probably an apprehension around what
it was going to be, right, but you know, you
(03:04):
take your first care you make your first tackle and
you know, a lot of that goes goes out the window.
You're just happy to be back out on the field
after six months off. So certainly now, you know, over
about a year removed from my return to play. Yeah,
that none of that really crosses my mind too much now,
which is good.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I'm quite intrigued with the you know, what happens behind
the scenes when you gather ahead of a Test match.
You know, when the team gathers for the first time,
as you have been in Christchurch this week, how do
the established players get to know the new guys.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
That's a good question. We actually gathered last week in
Auckland for three or four hours beforehand, so that was
really about kind of getting a game together and getting
to know each other. So we had a team dinner
out in Auckland, we had a few kind of meetings
where we discussed what means for us to play for
(03:53):
the Orbs, and then a few of the younger boys
talking about that as well, the new boys. Sorry, So
maybe it's it's just about getting around each other and
getting to know one another, especially the boys that you
might not know as well from different clubs or they
haven't been in the environment before. So fortunately you know
everyone within this environment are all good buggers and good
to have to sit down and how he are in too,
(04:14):
So it's pretty easy to get to know each other.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
You see, I'm terrible with names. Is that a bit
of a challenge when you have new players joining the squad?
Or do you guys pretty much know each other before
you get together because you're on the scene.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Yeah, you definitely know his name, and when we want
to know, you're right, because sometimes you'll introduce yourself to
these guys. So you've been watching on TV and previewing
for the whole season, so you know what they're about.
You know how good they are, funny, so it seems
bizarre introducing yourself, but you do. But yeah, as you say,
you kind of know about them and who they are
(04:48):
before you actually probably meet them.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
As a new head coach in the mix as well.
This year all quite a few coaches. How much time
with Dave Rennie? How much time do you each get
to spend with him ahead of this weekends?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I said, he's been Yeah, he's been messive around that camden,
around driving, how we want to play and all of
that stuff. But in terms of one on one not
too much. You know, we've got our own positional coaches
that have spend a lot of time with one on one.
So for me as the lock, that's Neil Barnes and
Jace Ryan, so they kind of look after the locks.
(05:21):
But Renzoy obviously oversee everything, and he's been on the
field and getting stuck in and I've really enjoyed dooking.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
You've got quite a family connection with your blacks. Your
mum has been nutritional since two thousand and eight. Is
she still in that role?
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah she is, Yeah, Yeah, she is in the role. Yeah.
But it is pretty special, especially being back here in
cross It. I've got some great memories growing up of
coming to visit mum at work at the George when
I was about ten or eleven years old and meeting
a few of my favorite players. So being back here
at the George in this environment as a players pretty surrealtive?
(05:57):
Is yet?
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Do you think having that familiarity for your mum's work
made it less daunting when you joined the team as
a newbie.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
I wouldn't really anything to compare it to to be feared,
but it was still very daunting. It may be a
weare bit awkward when I first came in having mom there.
You know, you never really want your your I'm looking
out over your shoulder and you're trying to come in
and make new mates and all sorts. But once I
got over myself, it's it's very special having around here.
You know, not many people get to get to kind
(06:27):
of I guess work in a high performance environment like
this with anyone from the family. So you know, as
much as I might have might not have been too
massive on the idea at first, it's it's been pretty
special and definitely something we'll look back on very fondly.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It must be like having mum there as parent help
on the rowing camps had as much the same.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Do you know the fact that no one else has
got the P and D either, so on the only
ones it's not quite like that.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So the cheap power of the Christ's boat with nutrition advice, Yeah,
she did help.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Us out a week bit bank at school. We're very
lucky to have the expertise on board.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
What's the best bit of advice she's given you.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Well, that's a brilliant question. Well it's been so much
over the years. But are your greens I guess are
your greens in the stable?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Brilliant? Hi Sam, great to catch up and all the
very visit you on the team tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Thanks very much, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
For more from Category Mornings with John McDonald, listen live
to news Talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
All Black Locks. Sam Dowry. He grew up here. You
know his name. He went to christ College and he's
been named in the starting lineup for tomorrow night and
he's worth us now, kidda.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Sam, John here are you going? Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Pretty well?
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Now?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
I know you're with the Blues at the moment, but
you are from christ Church originally. How does it feel
being in the first All Blacks team to play at
one New Zealand Stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
It's very special, you know obviously, as you say, I'm
playing maraviy up in awkward now, but still playing with
NBC down here in Canterbury, and Mum and Dad still
live down here and still spend a lot of time
down here, so to be back down here prepare for
a test match is pretty special.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
You must have been about ten when the earth quakes happened.
Did you go to the old Lincaster Park much when
you were young?
Speaker 3 (00:54):
I did a long time. I was eleven when the
earth quakes happened. I think I went once or twice,
but very vague memories here.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Now you captain the first fifteen at Christ College. But
rowing was another sport you did well and you won
the Mighty Cup with Christ in twenty eighteen. I mean,
I love rowing. Is there anything from your rowing days
that you reckon helped you prepare to be an All Blacknest?
Speaker 3 (01:15):
See you quite a lot? To be fair, I think
the work ethic and habits around training and recovery and
all sorts mentally set me up. So I guess my
career in rugby. And you know, I'm still of the
belief that some of the hardest training I've done in
my life was back at school when I was rowing.
(01:37):
You know, because it's not a contact sport, and because
you're not running, your body recovers a lot clicker so
they can take in a lot more sessions than at
a high intensity. So, you know, I like to think
that one of my strengths is my work rate and
engine and I think a lot of that came from
my rowing background.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
I mean, after the rowing season, you must have been
so much further than the other guys in the first
fifteen I was, but.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I was probably skin and bone, which you know, as
a tall, lanky kid didn't help. But I think it's important,
you know, in those early years are life. When you're
at high school, you know not to specialize too early
and have good balance. And I think once I leave school,
I turned my focus to trying to get on a
bit of weight, because, yeah, I said, there was much
to me at that stage.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Speaking of your build and your body. How's the shoulder,
because it's been causing you some grief? What rolling you
out of the competition last year, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah? Yeah, so I missed also breaky last year, but
tak pleased. Since then, it's been pretty good. I haven't
had too many issues with it, so hopefully it stays
that way.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
When you have something like that, does it freak you
out and does it make you a little bit cautious
in terms of throwing yourself around, Well it.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Doesn't necessarily, but to be pretty honest with you, it's
the recovery processes is in reyhead. Process is very rigorous
and they put you through a lot and there's a
lot of testing and all sorts that goes on behind
the scenes before you get back on the field. So
before that first game, there's probably an apprehension around what
it was going to be, right, but you know, you
(03:04):
take your first care you make your first tackle and
you know, a lot of that goes goes out the window.
You're just happy to be back out on the field
after six months off. So certainly now, you know, over
about a year removed from my return to play. Yeah,
that none of that really crosses my mind too much now,
which is good.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
I'm quite intrigued with the you know, what happens behind
the scenes when you gather ahead of a Test match.
You know, when the team gathers for the first time,
as you have been in Christchurch this week, how do
the established players get to know the new guys.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
That's a good question. We actually gathered last week in
Auckland for three or four hours beforehand, so that was
really about kind of getting a game together and getting
to know each other. So we had a team dinner
out in Auckland, we had a few kind of meetings
where we discussed what means for us to play for
(03:53):
the Orbs, and then a few of the younger boys
talking about that as well, the new boys. Sorry, So
maybe it's it's just about getting around each other and
getting to know one another, especially the boys that you
might not know as well from different clubs or they
haven't been in the environment before. So fortunately you know
everyone within this environment are all good buggers and good
to have to sit down and how he are in too,
(04:14):
So it's pretty easy to get to know each other.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
You see, I'm terrible with names. Is that a bit
of a challenge when you have new players joining the squad?
Or do you guys pretty much know each other before
you get together because you're on the scene.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Yeah, you definitely know his name, and when we want
to know, you're right, because sometimes you'll introduce yourself to
these guys. So you've been watching on TV and previewing
for the whole season, so you know what they're about.
You know how good they are, funny, so it seems
bizarre introducing yourself, but you do. But yeah, as you say,
you kind of know about them and who they are
(04:48):
before you actually probably meet them.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
As a new head coach in the mix as well.
This year all quite a few coaches. How much time
with Dave Rennie? How much time do you each get
to spend with him ahead of this weekends?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I said, he's been Yeah, he's been messive around that camden,
around driving, how we want to play and all of
that stuff. But in terms of one on one not
too much. You know, we've got our own positional coaches
that have spend a lot of time with one on one.
So for me as the lock, that's Neil Barnes and
Jace Ryan, so they kind of look after the locks.
(05:21):
But Renzoy obviously oversee everything, and he's been on the
field and getting stuck in and I've really enjoyed dooking.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
You've got quite a family connection with your blacks. Your
mum has been nutritional since two thousand and eight. Is
she still in that role?
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah she is, Yeah, Yeah, she is in the role. Yeah.
But it is pretty special, especially being back here in
cross It. I've got some great memories growing up of
coming to visit mum at work at the George when
I was about ten or eleven years old and meeting
a few of my favorite players. So being back here
at the George in this environment as a players pretty surrealtive?
(05:57):
Is yet?
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Do you think having that familiarity for your mum's work
made it less daunting when you joined the team as
a newbie.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
I wouldn't really anything to compare it to to be feared,
but it was still very daunting. It may be a
weare bit awkward when I first came in having mom there.
You know, you never really want your your I'm looking
out over your shoulder and you're trying to come in
and make new mates and all sorts. But once I
got over myself, it's it's very special having around here.
You know, not many people get to get to kind
(06:27):
of I guess work in a high performance environment like
this with anyone from the family. So you know, as
much as I might have might not have been too
massive on the idea at first, it's it's been pretty
special and definitely something we'll look back on very fondly.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
It must be like having mum there as parent help
on the rowing camps had as much the same.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Do you know the fact that no one else has
got the P and D either, so on the only
ones it's not quite like that.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So the cheap power of the Christ's boat with nutrition advice, Yeah,
she did help.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Us out a week bit bank at school. We're very
lucky to have the expertise on board.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
What's the best bit of advice she's given you.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Well, that's a brilliant question. Well it's been so much
over the years. But are your greens I guess are
your greens in the stable?
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Brilliant? Hi Sam, great to catch up and all the
very visit you on the team tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Thanks very much, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
For more from Category Mornings with John McDonald, listen live
to news Talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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