All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby Team

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Auckland Blues have re-signed All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke, effective until the end of 2025, NZR said on Wednesday. In a one-off test earlier this month in San Diego, the All Blacks defeated Fiji 47–5, earning the 25-year-old his 21st test cap. This was his seventh try since making his debut against Australia in 2020.

Any chance to wear the black jersey is a privilege and an opportunity to add to the legacy of the All Black, Clarke stated. Being a part of a fresh coaching group this year and knowing that I’ll get another chance to raise my hand in 2025 is an exciting moment for me.

The announcement is made as New Zealand gets ready to play Argentina twice on August 10 and August 17 to start their Rugby Championship defense. The head coach of the All Blacks, Scott Robertson, stated in a statement that Caleb is a wonderful individual and a gifted athlete who is improving at his craft.

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Caleb Clarke in action for the All Blacks against Fji in 2024

Wing of All Blacks Caleb Clarke, who had previously stated his intention to move codes, has chosen to stay with New Zealand Rugby for the time being. Prior to the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the speedster trained with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and appeared to be planning a career transition to rugby league.

After spending a few days with the Rabbitohs in December, Clarke declared that playing in the NRL would be an actual dream come true.

The winger has chosen to remain in his current position for the time being, despite the possibility that he might join Australians Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase in the 13-man game given his NZR contract expires at the end of 2024.

Leaving doors open Nevertheless, it is just for a year since the flyer and the governing body reached a new agreement that runs through the end of 2025. That will keep him with the Blues for the foreseeable future, although Clarke is undoubtedly exploring alternative options.

Clarke said, It depends, but right now I am really just looking at rugby and focussing on that, in response to a question on Wednesday on his hopes for rugby league.

Again, it’s all rugby to me, but it would be kind of cool. Even though I had a great time during my tenure with the Rabbitohs, I haven’t given it much thought. All I have to do is concentrate on the rugby.

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After gaining 21 appearances, Clarke went on to establish himself as a staple in the national team, but the 25-year-old has had difficulty locking down a spot in the starting lineup.

For the mid-year series, Robertson included him in the extended training group, but he was only able to participate in the match against Fiji because he had missed the England matches.

But when he commits to NZR, he will give himself at least another year to reclaim his position as first choice.

As the Blues won their first championship in twenty-one years in Super Rugby in 2024, Clarke shone, and in 2025 he hopes to build on that success both abroad and at the franchise level.

source https://thedailyrugby.com/all-blacks-winger-caleb-clarke-re-signed-nz-team/