Clarke rapt to be back
Comeback All Black Caleb Clarke sees a lot of his mentor Michael Jones in the Springboks and is over the moon to tick off a lifetime ambition in Mbombela when he runs out for the Rugby Championship opener.
Clarke was named as one of four changes to Ian Foster’s starting lineup, replacing Sevu Reece on the left wing for his first test appearance in nearly two years.
The 23-year-old blockbusting wing made five appearances during the truncated 2020 campaign – including a sensational starting debut at Eden Park – but missed 2021 for an ill-fated shot at an Olympic medal and was ruled out of the July series against Ireland while he worked back from a hamstring strain.
‘‘My initial thoughts were
I’d come off the bench or something like that because it’s been so long since I played,’’ he reflected on his first test appearance since the victory over Argentina in Newcastle on November 28, 2020.
‘‘It’s close to three months now since I last played a professional rugby game.’’
But after his Olympic disappointment of last year, where he missed the final cut for the sevens squad to play in Tokyo, and the hamstring injury which prevented him featuring in the Blues’ run to the Super Rugby Pacific final, he’s rapt to finally be back on the big stage.
‘‘It was pretty overwhelming seeing how much trust Fozzie [Foster] had in me and just getting to put that black jersey on again is going to be overwhelming,’’ he said.
‘‘I remember being in Wellington and we were singing the national anthem on the field and I started crying on the sideline, and didn’t even know why.
‘‘I’m just really excited because it’s been a big journey getting back into this black jersey.’’
The fact he will get his first crack at the world champion Springboks at Mbombela Stadium makes it even more special for the ultra-talented 107kg speedster.
‘‘There were two teams I’ve always wanted to play – England and South Africa,’’ he said. ‘‘A lot of people talk about [All Blacks legend and close family friend] Michael Jones how he’s the nicest guy off the field, but on the field he’s just completely different. It’s the same with the South Africans.
‘‘They’re the kindest people off the field and on it they’re completely different. They’re big, they’re fast, they’re strong and they’re currently the world champs. You want to measure yourself against the best and that’s what I’m really excited about.’’