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Che Clark's incredible rise from King's College to Sevens stardom
By Adam Julian
With his last touch of the ball in the King’s College First XV, Che Clark scored a 60m runaway try in a 56-5 hammering of Mount Albert Grammar School in 2021.
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The scoreline against a traditional powerhouse was as extraordinary as the contribution of Clark to the King’s First XV. The annual record of the school, The Collegian acclaimed:
“Che has been a fierce competitor since being on the team as a Year 10. He has a huge work rate, excellent athleticism, and aerial skills, along with a never-say-die attitude. Che was selected for the Blues U18s and NZ Schools for the second year.
“Che just fronted up every week at line-out time, carrying the ball close or wide and on defence.”
He played 55 games for the First XV and was the first Collegian since former All Blacks midfielder Pita Alatini (1989-1993) to play 50 matches for King’s. Alatini presented Clark with a special cap on the occasion of his 50th match – a 31-28 victory over St Kentigern’s College.
Remarkably Clark achieved a half-century despite two seasons of the 1A competition being incomplete due to covid lockdowns.
“I started as a lock in 2018 and transitioned to six. I lost a bit of weight, and they said I was light on my feet,” Clark said.
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“I’m a city boy. I grew up with my Mum in South Auckland and played league. Getting a scholarship to King’s made me the player and person I am today.
“In 2019 we had a heck of a season. We won the Auckland competition and just fell short in the National final. The year before we lost to St Peter’s by one in the Auckland final, so it was great to get one over St Kent’s and then compete against the best teams in the country at the Top Four.”
With a lack of fifteens, Clark turned his attention to Sevens. In 2021 he was named in the tournament team at the 2021 World School Sevens. He was part of the winning New Zealand Schools team.
Impressed All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw offered Che a New Zealand Sevens contract. In July 2022 he debuted at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
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“I was surprised. It was scary and unreal to be among some of the best athletes in the world. The boys did well to get the bronze medal,” Clark said.
“In Sevens I’m a prop which is a bit different because I’m not used to the front row, but in Sevens you kind of play everywhere so my skillset could be used to do lots of things. The boys helped me heaps.”
Clark has represented New Zealand in eight tournaments. The All Blacks Sevens won the 2022/23 HSBC World Sevens Series winning tournaments in Sydney, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Singapore, and Toulouse. At one point the All Blacks Sevens won 26 matches in a row.
“Clark Laidlaw is a down-to-earth, straight-up guy and the boys are really supportive which means you can express yourself,” Clark said.
“When we were lifting all the trophies it was awesome to see how much it meant to the older boys. I know how hard they’ve worked to create a strong legacy.”
With the HSBC World Sevens Series not set to resume for several months Clark has hooked up with the New Zealand Under 20s. He models his game on Ardie Savea. He had to be at his best to help foil a stubborn Australia in a recent two matches series which was split a win each.
“Australia was one of those sides who never went away. They were always up in your face and very physical,” Clark said.
“I loved playing in South Africa in the World Sevens Series. It’s a great country.”
South Africa won the Junior World Cup the last time they hosted the event in 2012. The Junior Springboks beat New Zealand, featuring Ardie Savea, in the final.”
King’s College First XV Record: 2018-2021
2018: Won 15 out of 18 games, Runners Up in 1A Auckland. King’s scored 102 tries and Clark played 14 games as a Year 10.
2019: Won 17 out of 20 games, Beat St Kentigern College 29-22 in 1A Auckland final. Runners up to Hastings Boys’ High School in National Top Four. Clark scored 11 tries.
2020: Won 4 out of 7 games before season was suspended.
2021: Won 11 out of 15 games. Beat Wellington champions Scots College and Otago and Christchurch Boys’ High School on a South Island tour. Were 6-3 in the 1A Auckland competition and on target for the semis until the season was suspended due to Covid.
New Zealand Under 20 World Rugby U20 Championship pool fixtures (date/time in NZST):
Wales U20 v New Zealand U20, Monday 26 June at 2.00AM
France U20 v New Zealand U20, Thursday 29 June at 11.30PM
New Zealand U20 v Japan U20, Thursday 6 July at 2.00AM
All very well but NZU 20s fwd pack was annihilated by Australia's here in NZ. The French Irish English and SA packs will have a field day. The decline in numbers playing means the depth and quality have died too. NZ U20 to finish 5th or 6th.