Clarke tipped to be new Lomu after shining in Bledisloe Cup
NEW All Black Caleb Clarke has been paid the ultimate rugby compliment after his exploits in the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia, with some comparing him to Jonah Lomu.
Over the years there have been many wings who have been likened to the late, great Lomu, a freak of nature whose pace and power when he burst on the scene in the 1990s changed rugby union for ever. Many of those mentioned in the same sentence as the big man have ended up struggling to justify the hype.
Whatever, Clarke is the latest to get the ‘new Lomu’ billing after a rampaging display in New Zealand’s 27-7 win over the Wallabies in Auckland.
One run saw the Blues player reduce the visitors’ cover to rubble as he blasted through five tackles, setting up a try for Ardie Savea.
The Rugbypass website reported: “It was the sort of run reminiscent of Jonah Lomu in his prime and the anticipation in the crowd was palpable every time the 21-year-old touched the ball.”
Making his first start in Test rugby, Clarke had earlier served notice of his power with a couple of powerful runs in the 10 phases of play that culminated in Jordie Barrett crossing.
The son of former All Black Eroni Clarke was only on the field for 68 minutes but in that time he made eight carries which yielded 138 metres and featured three clean breaks with 12 defenders beaten.
Wearing the No. 11 jersey that Lomu once wore, Clarke did the shirt justice as he caused the Wallabies problems at every turn.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent wrote: “If anyone thought Caleb Clarke’s 11-minute cameo last week was a fluke, the performance of the All Blacks winger on Sunday was three times as good. He bumped off Wallabies defenders like a 16-year-old playing in the under-10s.
“The inevitable comparisons to Jo
nah Lomu are absolutely valid after two sensational showings.”
The Australian’s Wayne Smith said: “Fullback Beauden Barrett, back at the ground where he scored four tries against the Wallabies two years ago, beat tackle after tackle but the alarm bells were really ringing in the Australian side any time Caleb Clarke was in possession.
“Just like his father, former All Black Eroni Clarke – watching on proudly from the stands – Caleb simply refused to be tackled and even Australia’s best first-half defender, Michael Hooper, was struggling to hold him.”
After a 16-16 draw between the sides the previous weekend, New Zealand were way too strong at the Eden Park base where they have not tasted defeat since 1994.
It finished four-tries-to-one in the home team’s favour this time, with Aaron Smith and Sam Cane also touching down. For Australia, Marika Koroibete crossed.
New Zealand had won only one out of three games heading into the date with their neighbours.
But they once again proved their resilience.