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Slimmer, faster, stronger: How Caleb Clarke rebounded from World Cup disappointment to All Blacks linchpin
Stephen Foote • November 6th, 2024 10:09 am
This weekend's Test against Ireland will come with an extra personal edge for All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke.
Speaking in Dublin overnight Wednesday, Clarke told a bemused group of local media that he had Irish roots, something he'd been reminded of by his ex-All Black father Eroni Clarke and grandfather on the eve of his departure for their northern tour.
The affable 26-Test international revealed his descendants were potato farmers, who migrated from Ireland to Samoa early last century.
"It's probably why I like Guinness," Clarke joked. "I'm not a drinker, but when I tried it I was like, 'Wow, that's so nice'."
This trip marks his first visit to his 'homeland' of sorts, where he'll also don the black jersey for the first time in his career against Ireland.
That No. 11 jersey is one he's made his own this season. His resurgence has been one of the highlights of the year for the All Blacks, carrying his championship from with the Blues to the game's elite level, where he's thrived under new head coach Scott Robertson.
It's the result of a promise Clarke made to himself after last year's World Cup in France, where he failed to crack Ian Foster's rotation - making just one appearance during pool play against minnows Namibia.
The new slimmer, faster version of Clarke has been formidable, delivering on the potential he exhibited during his All Blacks rookie season.
The 26-year-old credits the coaches at both levels for helping raise his standards, as well as his brief stint training with the NRL's South Sydney Rabbitohs.
"I remember coming off the plane of that 2023 World Cup and just going straight into training with my friends, knowing that I had a lot more to give," he recalled. "I had a lot more in me that no one really had seen yet.
"Through that hard work, I lost a bit of weight. On top of that, spending a little bit of time in league and learning off those boys, then coming into the Blues season and learning a lot off (coach) Vern Cotter. He got a lot out of me, demanded a lot out of me, and that's where I sort of grew.
"Now Razor and the coaches have really let me play my game and just encourage, which is the best part about being in this environment. I sometimes tend to overthink and they really just simplify it for me and just say, 'go have fun'.
The fruits of that labour have been undeniable. Clarke has crossed the chalk seven times so far this year, while showcasing a marked improvement defensively and aerially.
The latter is one area he knows he'll have to be on song at Aviva Stadium this weekend, where halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and backup Conor Murray will likely be peppering him with a barrage of bombs.
"Coaches have been saying 'get ready for the high balls' - you know how strong they are in the aerial game. That's what I'm excited about as well.
"On top of that, it's just the crowd, the physicality and the aerial game - those are my three takeaways, and the best thing we can do is just take it each moment at a time."
