CONTRIBUTION TO ALL BLACKS
FORMER ALL BLACKS MIDFIELDER ERONI CLARKE MAKES HIS NZ RUGBY WORLD DEBUT WRITING ABOUT WHO INSPIRED HIM AS A YOUNG LAD AND THE MASSIVE CONTRIBUTION POLYNESIAN PLAYERS HAVE MADE TO NEW ZEALAND RUGBY.
Iam honoured to be writing a column for RugbyWorld, to share my experiences both as a former player, and more recently as an administrator, in the contribution of Pasifika to rugby in New Zealand, Australasia, through to the global game.
Looking back on my own playing career, and now witnessing the experiences of my son Caleb as he moves through his professional rugby journey, it is incredible to see how the cultural connection has strengthened and our sport has become all the better for it. When I was growing up, I was watching the All Blacks play on TV with my father and he pointed out the legend Sir Bryan Williams, which was the first realisation for me that Pasifika people can play for the All Blacks and it gave me that aspirational goal. From there we saw our generation increase this representation further until now it is a very real and visible goal for the latest players coming through.
I’m enjoying my role as Pasifika Engagement Manager for New Zealand Rugby. The creation of this role signifies the genuine connection between New Zealand and Pasifika culture, as well as New Zealand
Rugby’s commitment to change – to make rugby more reflective of all cultures that are present within it. It has been wonderful to represent New Zealand as an All Black on the field and now being in the organisation off the field adds another dimension to my relationship with the organisation. It is a very special and unique experience for me to join the list of other former players who have continued to give back to the sport, including current CEO Mark Robinson, as well as Sir Michael Jones, Sir Bryan and Brent Anderson.
We know that there is so much more to a player reaching their potential than just through training and game plans. We are working within our communities to create a framework for managing their careers holistically, so that they are at their peak both physically and emotionally. When it comes to our pacific people, even those who are born and grow up in New Zealand are raised by parents who impart the same rituals, values and traditions that are practiced in Samoa and are challenged by environments that don’t reflect who they are. We want to ensure that everyone can see their place in our game and themselves and their culture being represented. From songs and lavalava to rituals like ‘Ava ceremonies, we can create familiar experiences in an otherwise unfamiliar situation, and not only welcome these players into a safe space but learn about these different cultural customs across different backgrounds, making rugby a richer, safer environment.
During the 1987 Rugby World Cup new Pasifika All Blacks became my heroes, including Sir Michael, Joe Stanley and, soon after, John Schuster. Around that time, I trialled for the Auckland Secondary Schools. In a rush to get to trials I packed a pair of pink bloomer shorts with my rugby kit instead of my rugby shorts. To my horror in the changing rooms, I had no other shorts, and no one had any spare. I ran out and told my mum who told me “Son, wear them, it’ll make you stand out!” Well, as an obedient son, I wore them, and it must’ve worked - I was selected. It really taught me, in leadership, the value of standing up and often standing alone for what you believe in.
If you look at rugby in New Zealand right now, it is easy to see the contribution of the pacific within our communities on the field, but this isn’t carrying over into the administration and governance off the field. While numbers are starting to come through in coaching, we need to also look into other non-playing roles like refereeing, not to mention at all levels inside the fale of New Zealand Rugby and our Provincial Unions. We are a collectivist community and don’t like to blow our own trumpets, so shoulder tapping is currently the way we are encouraging people into these roles but we need to look into how we can establish proper official pathways so they can serve in these areas a lot better.
By getting involved in off-field roles Pasifika representation can have a seat at the table to influence and have the biggest impact in creating the environments that these players need to not only perform at a high level, but also look after their overall wellbeing. But in the same way as Begee Williams inspired me to aim for the black jersey, it won’t be until we see ourselves represented in these off-field roles that we can really inspire the next generation to continue to be involved and make their mark on our game.