Clarke faces Olympics dilemma
Caleb Clarke is having so much fun with the Blues right now he daren’t think about the Olympic-sized dilemma that looms on his horizon next year.
But the 21-year-old breakout Super Rugby Aotearoa sensation with the undefeated Blues understands that at some time in the not-too-distant future he will have a big decision to make around the sevens and XVs games. Does he chase an Olympic gold in Tokyo, or an All Blacks jersey? Can he somehow swing both?
Those are life-changing junctures that likely await one of the bright young stars of the New Zealand game. For now Clarke is happy to focus all his attention on the Blues’ momentous Saturday night visit to Christchurch for their pivotal clash against the also unbeaten Crusaders that may go a long way to deciding the outcome of this hybrid, post-Covid competition for 2020.
It’s a clash brimful of compelling matchups and storylines between the standard-setters of professional rugby and the faded champs looking to finally turn round a long period of under-achievement. Somewhere near the top of the interest charts sits the battle between two backthrees of the highest calibre – throwing up a half-dozen, or more, All Blacks contenders, for whenever there may be such a thing as test footy.
The Blues will almost certainly retain their incumbent trio of Clarke, the recently re-signed Mark Telea and Beauden Barrett at fullback. Clarke and Telea represent the new breed of wing – big, strong, fast and furiously knocking at the door of higher honours. Over on the red and black side of the equation sits an equally exciting combination of Will Jordan, Sevu Reece and George Bridge, with David Havili thrown in for good measure.
Clarke, for one, is exhilarated by the opportunity that presents for the Blues who have lost their last 11 against the Crusaders and haven’t won in Christchurch since 2004.
‘‘It’s going to be real good competition out on the field,’’ he told ‘‘We’re coming in hot and we’re all excited for it because it’s the Crusaders, we’re the Blues, it’s north v south and that kind of thing.
‘‘We’re doing really well and we’re confident in our game right now. We respect them definitely, but there’s no fear. We’re just keen to get in there and get the job done.’’
On a likely wintry night the speed merchants might not have quite the influence they would in more favourable conditions. But Clarke looms as a potential difference-maker with his size (at 107kg he’s one of the bulkier wings around), power and growing workrate.
He’s certainly in some form, which he credits fairly and squarely to his time in the New Zealand sevens programme that was only cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic that allowed him to rejoin the Blues for the Aotearoa competition.
In three starts on the left wing – all victories – Clarke has been the Blues’ top metre-eater in each outing.
‘‘That’s a lot of credit to the sevens,’’ Clarke tells ‘‘It’s such a great programme to be part of. One thing I took out of that is good confidence in myself in terms of workrate and ball-carrying. It really boosted my confidence and I brought that back into the 15-man game.’’
He’s also fitter and faster than he’s ever been, and it’s showing.
‘‘I feel a lot stronger into contact, though I’ve yet to open up and show the pace I can,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s been awesome coming out of lockdown . . . that work ethic you get from sevens is still there.’’
Clarke isn’t sure what the future holds for the sevens programme and, indeed, international sport in general. But he is aware that if the Olympics go ahead next year at some stage he will have a big decision to make.
The Blues will want him for Super Rugby in 2021, whatever form that may take. Maybe the All Blacks too, if he continues to make the giant strides he is.
‘‘I want to go to Tokyo,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s a big goal, especially while I’m still young. But we’ll just see how this season pans out. The ultimate goal is always the black jersey. If there’s a shot of that it would be something real cool to pursue. But the Olympics is once in a lifetime as well.’’