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'Not everybody scores that under the posts': Caleb Clarke can bring back what All Blacks miss

(Photo by Michael Thomas / www.photosport.nz)

Blues left wing Caleb Clarke demonstrated his power game against the Highlanders, exploding through multiple defenders to score a stunning try less than 15 minutes into the game.

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On the comeback trail after a season with the All Blacks Sevens, Clarke has shown just what he can bring on the end of a backline which will have the All Blacks selectors happy.

Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall said that Clarke ‘has put himself’ forward for a recall after the early rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, with his time in Sevens sharpening his speed and power once again.

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“He’s definitely put himself in that conversation,” Hall told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“The time that he has spent with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with how lean, fast and electric he is. When he came back from Sevens the first time, he came back fit, roaring and ready to go, looked fast and explosive.

“He seems like he’s got that back.

“I’ll tell you what, every time he touches the ball, that try he scored on the weekend, it’s not an easy try. Not everybody scores that under the posts.

“He makes it look so easy, you are going through two defenders at full speed. It doesn’t seem like it slows him at all.”

During Clarke’s one season with the All Blacks in 2020, his power running was unstoppable at Eden Park against the Wallabies as the All Blacks ran out 27-7 winners on the back of Clarke’s dynamic play.

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Hall said that the 23-year-old’s ability to take advantage of half-chances and less room is a ‘massive positive’ in his favour when looking at the left wing options.

“That is one positive that he can bring to international level as well. There isn’t that many opportunities you get where there is space in front of you, there is always one or two guys that you’ve got to beat to score tries or get over the advantage line,” he said.

“Caleb Clarke, that is one of the massive positives that he brings with his game.

“He’s doing really well and I hope he doesn’t do that against us, but for the Blues and their fans, they want to continue seeing him do that.”

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Former Blues hooker James Parsons noted that Clarke’s aerial skills have really improved with his ability to snatch balls ‘AFL-style’ out of the air. He has a more rounded game than what people think.

“Let’s not forget, he’s got a well-rounded game,” Parsons said.

“It’s not just his power running. His contestable game, his ability in the air under the high ball. That’s why fullbacks go to the wing at international level works so well because that contestable game is such a massive part.

“I think that is an area where he’s grown into a strength. He’s catching it AFL-style above his head. A kick is only good as it’s chase and nine times out of ten, he’s right up there in the mix with it.

“I think there are some finer touches to his game that sometimes people will miss because of the highlights package that is rolling over the top of people.”

The All Blacks coaches could also consider using Caleb Clarke’s power game to fix the set-piece launches that weren’t very effective last year, with the first phase carry often coming unstuck against the likes of South Africa.

When asked if the coaches would be thinking that way, Bryn Hall explained that kind of situation does suit Clarke who could be used as a ‘battering ram’.

“If you look at when we played against the South Africans [last year], a lot of that time when you are winning that lineout ball at the front, our strike plays were giving it straight to the winger like George Bridge and Will Jordan,” Hall said.

“They [Bridge and Jordan] have a lot of really good strengths, but sometimes if they are running into an openside or a hooker in that transition zone, a guy like Caleb suits.

“If you want to use him as a battering ram in that example, he’s a guy that could possibly get you over that advantage line and then start flowing into your shapes or maps off that.

“He’s not only just that, that’s a massive strength of his to run over people, but whether it be contestables or kick chase to the ball, he’s a quick man.

“If he continues to have those second and third efforts, he’ll definitely be in that All Blacks squad when they announce it.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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