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Blues eager to keep breakout star Caleb Clarke as questions arise about Olympics ambitions

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald has made no secret about his desire to keep star wing Caleb Clarke at the Auckland franchise next season following his breakout campaign this season.

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Whether or not the 21-year-old powerhouse will stay in the XV-man game remains in question, however, as a result of the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to next year.

Clarke was a member of the All Blacks Sevens squad in the 2019-20 World Sevens Series after agreeing to skip the 2020 Super Rugby season in pursuit of attending the Tokyo Games with the aim of winning a gold medal.

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Those plans were scuppered when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the quadrennial event to be pushed back 12 months, which in turn allowed Clarke to return to the Blues ahead of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

It’s proved to be a blessing in disguise for MacDonald’s side, as the youngster has enjoyed a stellar run of form that has thrust him well into the discussions of All Blacks selection.

His immense physical stature has provided the Blues with no shortage of pace and power on the left wing, while the subtleties in his game have made him a multi-dimensional force to be reckoned with.

Clarke could well be interested in resuming his quest for Olympic glory once next season’s global sevens schedule is established, but he now has far more to consider than when he first signed up to New Zealand’s sevens program.

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He stands as a probable inclusion in Ian Foster’s maiden All Blacks squad, which is due to be named on August 30, and if he can replicate the sort of form he has shown domestically on the international stage, he can expect to stay there for a long time.

Whether he sees chasing an Olympic gold medal ahead of establishing himself as a bona fide All Black as a risk worth taking remains to be seen, but MacDonald made it clear he would like Clarke to return to the Blues rather the All Blacks Sevens in 2021.

“It’s a big decision for him,” MacDonald told media following the Blues’ 32-21 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Sunday.

“Obviously we’d love for him to stay at the Blues, but it’s a big decision he’ll have to make at some point soon.”

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Not for the first time this year, the Highlanders felt the wrath of Clarke’s talents at Forsyth Barr Stadium over the weekend, as the former New Zealand U20 star played a key role in three of his side’s five tries.

His powerful running and offloading prowess were key to the Blues’ win, which kept their Super Rugby Aotearoa title hopes alive.

“You walk next to him and he’s a big lad, I think he’s nearly 110kg,” MacDonald said of Clarke’s hefty 1.89m, 107kg frame.

“He moves really well off his feet, good balance, he’s great in the air, so there’s a lot to like about his game and he’s got a good work ethic off the field as well.

“He works really hard on the small parts of his game, like his kicking and handling, so if he continues like this, keeps his head down, he’s got a big future.”

Observing a bye this week, the Blues will be reliant on the Highlanders producing an upset win over the league-leading Crusaders in Christchurch this Sunday to set up a do-or-die final round clash between the Blues and Crusaders next week.

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R
RedWarrior 34 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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