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If the All Blacks were looking to cool Caleb Clarke’s jets in the wake of Bledisloe’s performance of the young winger heard around the world, then it would seem that the memo never got to the head coach, or one of the more determined forwards. .
Both Ian Foster and seasoned hooker Codie Taylor did little on Monday to curb the excitement surrounding the 21-year-old Aucklander’s impressive first test outing in the number 11 jersey in Sunday’s 27-7 win over the Wallabies at their home stadium. from Eden Park. .
The All Blacks overall improved vastly from the rather bland performance at Bledisloe I in Wellington when they were lucky enough to come out stuck 16-16. But Clarke’s performance rightly stole the headlines, as the genius son of a gun swept through the Wallabies in a display that earned him an O standing between segments of the crowd of nearly 47,000.
Mark Baker / AP
Caleb Clarke left the Wallabies in his wake during a triumphant starting debut for the All Blacks.
Clarke gobbled up 123 meters on eight carries, including a nearly 200-foot run that set the shot for Ardie Savea before leaving with cramps in the 67th minute. According to a tally of statistics, he beat 14 defenders and made three clean cuts at as good a starting debut as could ever have been for an All Black wing.
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* All Blacks vs Australia: Tears and cheers resound on Caleb Clarke’s special day
* ‘The next Jonah Lomu’: Australian media praises Caleb Clarke’s brilliance in Bledisloe
* All Blacks vs Australia: Ian Foster absorbed with the answer: ‘We put a marker’
The 29-year-old Taylor, who has won 52 career caps so far, didn’t hesitate to go big when asked if he could remember so much impact and fanfare so early in the career of a young All Black.
“Ah yes, Jonah Lomu, Julian Savea …” Taylor replied, naming two of the best number 11’s to have tied them up with the black jersey. “We’ve been lucky with some pretty beastly wingers in the past and he’s just another one to come in and seize his chance.”
Taylor added in a rousing tribute: “To be honest, I’m glad to be on your team. It’s a bit of a wrecking ball. I love the fact that he came into this environment as a child and was himself from day one, expressing himself in the field and he is just a humble child, which is amazing. “
Phil Walter / Getty Images
It hasn’t been long for new All Blacks sensation Caleb Clarke to become a fan favorite.
In addition to the carnage on the field, Taylor said Clarke brought an enthusiasm that was contagious for veterans who might have gotten a little more used to the test rugby routine.
“He wakes up every morning and is always smiling and jumping. I think that’s the young blood that gets it going every day. It adds energy to the team, and it’s amazing to see those kinds of people who can be themselves in a daunting environment. “
After putting in a bit of post-game effort to sidestep the buzz around Clarke, new head coach Foster seemed to have resigned himself to the fact that those special qualities simply couldn’t be underestimated in the modern world of highlight clips that circulate on social media in a matter of minutes. of games ending.
How impressed had you been with your young wing’s first test outing?
“A lot,” Foster said. “It’s pretty obvious to everyone that he wanted to express himself and run hard. But he has prepared very well the last few weeks, and his attention to detail and what he does has been very good outside of the park.
“That’s what has given us the confidence to put it on, and I love the fact that he has that big smile, and he just wants to have fun and use the talents that he’s been given.”
When asked if the comparisons to Lomu were premature and in need of handling, Foster showed an encouraging inclination to allow his player to figure things out on his own.
HURRICANES
The All Blacks and Hurricanes running back will miss Super Rugby 2021 to play in Japan.
“His expectations are set by himself, his family and I guess we are in our environment. It’s okay, ”said the coach who made his own statement with his team’s great improvement in Bledisloe II. “What the world wants to say is your business. I’m sure he’s down to earth, has a lot of faith, a lot of self-awareness, and he knows it’s a fickle world. You get headlines one day and get shot the next. You just have to enjoy what you do and keep growing.
“There are many people who have put a lot into educating him well, and he is a credit to them. Tupou [Vaa’i] is in the same boat. He didn’t do the big 70-meter runs, he’s not getting the same headlines, but I thought he was just as impressive for a young person. Part of our job is to make people know what are the important things to value and what not.
Taylor had no doubt that his young teammate would take it all with his determined stride: “[The hype] It doesn’t really seem to faze him. He’s pretty good, he’s young and he just wants to go out and play rugby. You can tell she loves the game, and the beauty of her role is that she can express herself. If the ball gets in your way, you’ll see some tackles or line jumps. “
All Blacks fans can only wait.
