Caleb Clarke ruled out of second France Test with ankle injury

All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of the second France Test match in Wellington this weekend, with an ankle injury picked up at training.

The All Blacks have described it as a “high ankle injury” which will rule him out of the second Test match against France, as well as the rest of the Lipovitan-D July Series.

The Blues winger, who didn’t score a single try in Super Rugby Pacific, was named to start on the left wing after last weekend’s injury to Sevu Reece, who went off with a category one HIA after just one minute in Dunedin.

Clarke’s inclusion meant Rieko Ioane shifted to the right wing, but will now be moved back to his favoured left wing spot.

Clarke’s injury means Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa gets his chance in the All Blacks jersey, after previously representing the All Blacks twice before, the last being in 2024 against Fiji in San Diego.

Narawa first got his chance under previous head coach Ian Foster, making his debut against Argentina in 2023.

The 25-year-old Fijian-born winger was impressive for the Chiefs this season, scoring six tries, earning himself a recall to the All Blacks as injury cover for Anton Lienert-Brown who was nursing a shoulder injury.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

29

24

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

100%

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson had the option of starting Damian McKenzie in the No.15 jersey, shifting Will Jordan to the right wing, but Roberston has clearly decided on keeping Jordan in that fullback role.

When asked about that possible reshuffle on Thursday, Robertson was quick to shut it down.

“No.”