1
Blues hopeful of Clarke's return for Super Rugby Pacific playoffs
By AAP
The Blues are hoping Caleb Clarke will be able to play at least some part in the Super Rugby Pacific finals despite the All Blacks winger being sidelined for up to a month by a hamstring injury.
One of the most potent attacking weapons in the game, Clarke pulled up injured during the 21-19 win over the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend that guaranteed the Blues top spot in the standings at the end of the regular season.
Clarke will definitely miss this week's trip to Sydney to face the resurgent NSW Waratahs but assistant coach Daniel Halangahu said there was some hope that he might be available for the semi-finals or final.
"He's not available this week. Beyond that, with the size of his legs, maybe they heal faster than others," he told the NZ Herald on Tuesday.
"It is bad timing, especially the way he is playing and the way he started that match. He's an important part of what we're doing. We feel for him. Injuries are a horrible part of the game.
"How he pulls up by the end of this week will be important to see if it's as bad as some hamstrings are."
That optimism would have been music to the ears of the All Blacks selectors, who will be banking on Clarke to be a big factor when Ireland visit New Zealand for three Tests in July.
Despite having locked up home advantage throughout the finals and earning the opportunity to rest some players, the Blues will be crossing the Tasman determined to extend their winning streak to 13 matches.
"We're going to Sydney and we're going to win. That's been the strongest message around here today," added Halangahu, a former Waratahs five-eighth.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
Go to comments