'Did I just lose us the game?': All Blacks star Caleb Clarke opens up on why his 'heart sank' in 'rollercoaster' test debut
If there are positives to be taken out of the All Blacks‘ 16-all draw with the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup test of the year, the efforts of newly-capped New Zealand wing Caleb Clarke would have to be one of them.
Named on the All Blacks bench, the 21-year-old was rewarded for a barnstorming campaign with the Blues when he was injected into yesterday’s match in Wellington as a replacement for Damian McKenzie with little more than 10 minutes to play.
In doing so, he was handed his first test cap for the All Blacks, and marked the occasion with multiple flashes of the destructive power than made him such a force to be reckoned in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
As the rain pelted down at Sky Stadium in the Kiwi capital, Clarke made himself a constant menace on the left wing, utilising his 1.89m, 107kg frame to constantly punch his way through the Australian defensive line when he got his hands on the ball.
It was a cameo showing that was worthy of sparking a selection debate leading into the second Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland this week about whether he warrants a place in the starting lineup at Eden Park.
There would be plenty of advocates for Clarke’s promotion into the starting XV in place of George Bridge, who assisted Aaron Smith’s try and played a part in the lead-up to Jordie Barrett’s score, but otherwise lacked the impetus that Clarke provided.
That’s not exactly how Clarke will remember his maiden appearance for the All Blacks, though.
While the All Blacks Sevens star was impressive on attack, the youngster – who emulated his father and former 10-test All Blacks midfielder Eroni in playing for New Zealand – took a more grounded view on his performance.
In fact, there was one moment in the final stages of the game that stands out for Clarke, when Australian utility back Reece Hodge lined up a potentially game-winning penalty shot from inside his own half three minutes into injury time.
Renowned for his long range goal-kicking, Hodge was unfortunate in the extreme to have his 53m effort denied by the right-hand post, but a spillage of the wet ball by Clarke from the rebound left him anxious about how that might have impacted the result.
“When they got that penalty on halfway, I was hoping that one would miss, and it did, but I ended up dropping that ball off the posts, so at first my heart sank,” Clarke said upon reflection of a frantic injury time period that lasted nine minutes.
“The first thing I actually thought was, ‘Did I just lose us the game?’, but then we fought back, defended our line really well. I was just hoping we weren’t going to get penalised.”
WHAT?! This. Last. 8. Minutes. Of. Rugby. ? ? ?
#BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/QcnpCftgih
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) October 11, 2020
A tenacious defensive effort by the All Blacks ensured the hosts weren’t penalised on their own tryline, with an Ardie Savea turnover sparing Clarke’s blushes from what could have been a disastrous moment in an otherwise fine test debut.
That yielded an attacking charge downfield that forced the Wallabies to hold firm on their tryline, but failure to execute with ball in hand or attempt a drop goal meant victory proved elusive for both sides.
“Then the turnover happened, and then [we] were just keen to attack, just wanted to get that first win, and I thought we were when we were right on their line, so it was quite the emotional rollercoaster, for me personally,” Clarke recalled.
Despite his late knock-on, Clarke said he was “buzzing” to have made his first appearance on the international stage.
“It’s pretty surreal when you do something, when you achieve such a big goal in your life. It’s a big process to work towards that thing, so I’m still buzzing.
“The one thing that sticks out for me, though, is dropping that kick off the posts, that last penalty.
“But I’m just so glad to tick off something so big in my life, and to get to do it alongside my mates Patty [Patrick Tuipulotu] and Hosk [Hoskins Sotutu], alongside people I grew up with, yeah, it’s special.”
Whether All Blacks head coach Ian Foster and his fellow selectors will tinker with the starting lineup for the second test this Sunday remains to be seen, but there is plenty of hunger for Clarke to add to his test tally in his hometown.
“Now I’ve got that first test, I just want a bit more now, and just see what Fozzie has to say, but all in all, just real happy and grateful to firstly get on the field and then get to play.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments