All Blacks winger chimes in on GOAT debate after France defeat

Scott Robertson’s All Blacks have slumped to a one-point defeat at Stade de France at the hands of a France side buoyed by 80,000 home fans.

France were helped by an impressive performance from the boot of first five Thomas Ramos, who had 15 points, kicking all of his six attempts. 

The game went down to the final minutes after All Blacks captain Scott Barrett chose to take the three in front of the posts with five minutes to go, down four points.

All Blacks blockbusting winger Caleb Clarke said his teammates were hurting following the nail-biting defeat. 

“Straight away, a bit disappointed, it's natural to feel a little hurt after that loss, boys got around each other after the final whistle went because everyone put it all out there, " said Caleb Clarke to the media minutes after the final whistle against France.

“Man you could feel it in the changing rooms, everyone was hurting but again a hurting All Blacks side is a dangerous side as well.

“So really looking forward to having another opportunity next week against Italy and inflicting the hurt onto our next opponents.”

France were able to wrestle back the momentum early in the second half through a Louis Bielle-Biarrey try after a Tupou Vaa'i mistake with the ball in hand. 

The All Blacks settled for three points on multiple occasions, staying within touching distance of France late in the second half.

Clarke admits the All Blacks had the opportunities to win the game, but failed to be clinical.

“We talked about it in the changing rooms. It’s small margins is what it takes to win Test matches, and sport goes one winner so all credit to France they played an awesome game that put us under pressure, we had our opportunities but kind of let it slip.”

Clarke had 14 carries and an equal game-high two line breaks, which he put down to the amount of ball his teammates managed to give him.

“I think I was just happy to get the ball, I wanted it in my hands a lot more and to get some go forward and felt like getting on the edges. 

“Especially coming back down the blindside we had some success, but again I think we tried to force the pass, especially in the 22 is the guttering part, forcing the pass, or missing the clean, which really made us lose the game in the end."

When asked about how the All Blacks manage to balance the risk and reward passes on attack, Clarke credits the coaching staff and the messages the players receive.

“I think Razor (Scott Robertson) does a great job during the week, where he wants us to express ourselves and play freely but again he tells us don’t force the pass, making sure we are through contact before we throw it or making sure whoever we are passing to is open and free. 

“Razor is really balancing it well and we had a great week this week too, leading up to the game, that's probably why it hurts a bit more, that we didn't get the result especially because it's by one point."

It was Clarke’s first encounter against France’s talisman and superstar halfback Antoine Dupont,  with the 25-year old saying he has lots of respect for the halfback. 

“I have so much respect for that dude, I think that was my first time running up against him, I was just saying before he tackled me but I didn’t even see him coming, I was like where the heck did you even come from.”

Clarke has chimed in on the GOAT debate in rugby and was asked about whether Dupont can be the greatest even without playing away from home. 

The All Blacks winger still backs his fellow countryman as the best ever.

“I think for me the GOAT is still Richie McCaw, until he can play against him, yeah we will see how that goes.”