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Caleb Clarke makes successful return to sevens as All Blacks Sevens defeat Australia
By Alex McLeod
All Blacks star Caleb Clarke has made a successful return to sevens, taking to the field in the All Blacks Sevens' 14-5 win over Australia in the first match of their trans-Tasman series in Auckland on Friday.
The All Blacks Sevens ran out 14-5 winners at Orakei Domain in the first of six matches to be played between Friday and Sunday, coming off the bench in the 12th minute.
It was the 22-year-old's first appearance for the national sevens side since he featured at last year's Vancouver Sevens on the 2019-20 World Sevens Series.
Clarke, who returned to XV-a-side rugby with the Blues after the remaining World Sevens Series tournaments were cancelled, confirmed earlier this month that he would return to sevens to chase an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo later this year.
The five-test All Blacks wing, who debuted for the national side after a breakout campaign in Super Rugby Aotearoa, wasn't the only Super Rugby star to complete his return to the sevens set-up on Friday.
Chiefs flyer Etene Nanai-Seturo, who also hasn't featured for the All Blacks Sevens last year's World Sevens Series, also came off the bench in New Zealand's first-up win as he was thrust into the fray in the 11th minute.
Neither player featured on the scoresheet, but Clarke put in an eye-catching display, making an impressive tackle on Dietrich Roache, who he then also dragged over the sideline, in his first play of the match.
Showcasing his strong ball-carrying ability as the game wore on, Clarke and Nanai-Seturo helped close out the result, which was secured via tries scored by Dylan Collier and Amanaki Nicole, both of which were converted by Andrew Knewstubb.
Australia's only try was scored by former Melbourne Rebels player Pama Fou, who scored a 70m intercept try in the second half.
In the women's fixture played beforehand, the Black Ferns Sevens came out on top in a 19-0 victory over Australia.
The two sides will feature again at 3:30pm before the All Blacks Sevens and Australia go head-to-head for a second time half an hour later.
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Latest Comments
That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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