1
'Target on his head': Wallabies star's threat to All Blacks rookie Caleb Clarke
The Wallabies have sent a clear warning to All Blacks rookie sensation Caleb Clarke: we’re coming for you.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clarke was virtually unstoppable in his debut start against the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup test, where he used his pace and power to bulldoze his way through the Aussie defence on multiple occasions.
The 21-year-old’s 70 metre run right after half-time which led to an Ardie Savea try even prompted comparisons to late All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu.
It’s no wonder he’s been top of mind for the Wallabies this week as they prepare for a do-or-die clash in Sydney on Saturday.
For Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu, who is charged with defending Clarke, it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to. He says he “can’t wait” to get his hands on the young All Black.
“Our aim for this week was to stop him,” Daugunu said. “We’re looking forward to playing against him again on Saturday.”
“Our aim is to kick to him and to contest – for him to catch so we can smash him. Our target for this week was him. Can’t wait to hit him.”
ADVERTISEMENT
When asked if there was a “target on his head”, Daugunu didn’t mince words: “Yes.”
Wallabies lock Matt Philip echoed his teammate’s blunt challenge, saying the whole team will be trying to “end” Clarke.
“He’s obviously a threat with the ball,” Philip said. “He did some damage in Auckland. I think it’s a team job to stop that. We’ve defended as a team. It’s not just big Filipo here trying to end him. I think it’ll be the whole team.”
Meanwhile, the Wallabies will be placing their hopes in their own rookie this weekend with 20-year-old playmaker Noah Lolesio set to make his debut at No 10 in place of James O’Connor who was ruled out with a knee injury.
With Ardie Savea out, there's simply no way that Hoskins Sotutu can miss out. But what makes Sotutu such an immense player? #AllBlacks #AUSvNZL #BledisloeCuphttps://t.co/dOFwwBoU6n
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2020
Lolesio is no stranger to the big arena and led the Brumbies to Super Rugby AU glory this year with an ice-cool drop goal in the final. But Saturday’s test will be by far the biggest challenge of his career, something head coach Dave Rennie is confident he’ll be able to handle.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He’s a young man but as we’ve seen with the Brumbies, he dealt with the responsibility of playing at that level really well,” Rennie said. “He slotted in nicely here. Obviously he was on the bench [in the last test] and didn’t get on, so obviously very exciting for him and his family to earn his first cap on Saturday.
“His job is to get out and implement our plan. He’s been training with us for five weeks. He’s very clear, he’s very studious. I know he roomed a bit with James (O’Connor) and he’s been quizzing him on a lot of stuff.
“Look he’s a smart kid so he’ll go into the game really well prepared and we just want him to get out and play and be instinctive because he’s done all his homework.”
It was one of five changes to Rennie’s starting side, including four debutants in Lolesio, Irae Simone, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott.
“We’ve certainly got an eye for the future but it’s also about winning on Saturday. We’ve worked really hard and we’re going to get a lot better over time. But you’ve got to get results now too and we’re well aware of the quality of the opposition.
“But it’s exciting for us. We’ve got some young men who’ve been tested and learning lots. There’s no reason why if we go out and play at our best on the weekend, we can’t get a win.”
Wallabies team: James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Harry Wilson, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Irae Simone, Jordan Petaia, Filipo Daugunu, Dane Haylett-Petty.
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Reece Hodge, Hunter Paisami.
All Blacks team: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe.<
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Dalton Papalii, TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, Rieko Ioane.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
13 Go to comments