Grieving Clarke helps lift mood for Blues

THE Blues faithful turned up to watch Hoskins Sotutu advance his claims for the All Blacks No 8 jersey and left thinking Caleb Clarke could also be wearing the famous black No 11 jersey by the end of the year.

Clarke, whose grandfather died on the morning of the game, was a standout as the Blues survived a stunning Highlanders comeback to win a pulsating encounter 27-24 last night.

The Highlanders looked second best by a distance in the first half as the Blues led 22-10, but the men from the deep south came roaring back on the back of a brilliant performance by No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.

With 10 minutes to go they trailed 27-24 and Mitch Hunt missed the chance to equal the scores with a penalty that drifted narrowly wide.

The Blues then turned the Highlanders over at the lineout after the visitors turned down another shot at goal, and the Blues survived the final minute to hang on for a dramatic win.

Clarke was in tears before the game but composed himself to produce a performance that confirmed him as probably the country’s most exciting young star.

Otere Black and Beauden Barrett also won the tactical battle in wet conditions with some excellent kicking, contributing to a brutal night at the office for rookie Highlanders fullback Scott Gregory.

But Clarke, will be the talk of rugby folk across the country with his mixture of power, pace, and no little grace.

For a big man – he is listed at 108kg – he moves beautifully off both feet and his clever pass to set up a Rieko Ioane try in the first half showed a selfless side, too.

He also showed his unorthodox but effective technique under the high ball and All Blacks coach Ian Foster – and backs guru Brad Mooar – must already be salivating at the prospect of getting their hands on him.

By contrast, Gregory struggled badly.

In a difficult first half, the youngster’s tactical kicking wasn’t accurate, he had a kick charged down for a try, and then he dropped a high ball.

Feeding off those errors, the Blues led 22-10 at halftime and looked like they would be

GETTY IMAGES Loose forward Dalton Papalii is taken to ground by Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith on this occasion but his two tries were crucial in the Blues’ win. Right, Rieko Ioane streaks upfield for the Blues.