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Death on game day: Blues star Caleb Clarke pays tribute to late grandfather after superb display
By Online Editors
Blues coach Leon MacDonald heaped praise on Caleb Clarke's standout performance against the Highlanders after the highly-promising wing lost his grandfather earlier in the day.
Clarke shed tears during a pre-match moment of silence as the 27,000 strong Eden Park crowd paused to honour slain Constable Matthew Hunt, who died in the line of duty in Auckland last week.
The 21-year-old is enjoying a breakout year after returning to the Blues from the New Zealand sevens team, and the loss of his grandfather inspired him to deliver another impressive display.
Speaking to Sky after the match, Clarke dedicated his superb performance to his grandfather.
"It was a big day losing my grandfather just before kick-off,'' Clarke said. "It was a bit hard and it was a bit iffy whether I was going to play.'
"But I know he would want me to play so I just dedicated that game to him - that was to you grandpa."
Clarke pointed to the sky in tribute after scoring the opening try in the Blues' 27-24 victory. He then laid on Rieko Ioane's first half strike after a brilliant break, and snaffled one Beauden Barrett restart to showcase his talents in the air.
"What an effort," MacDonald said. "It's been a big day, obviously, for him and his family. It's been tough. He really wanted to go out and put a performance his grandfather would be proud of and I thought he was brilliant tonight. He'll be emotionally drained so what a mighty effort from him. We're all thinking for their family of their loss."
After watching his team blow a 22-10 halftime lead and then cling on for victory, MacDonald was pleased to welcome next week's bye following three straight Super Rugby Aotearoa victories since lockdown.
"The Highlanders were really gritty and tough and did everything but win really. We'll take the win. It highlights just how tough this competition is. It's good for the crowd but not good for the heart rate.
"It's a good time for the bye it gives us a chance to have a decent look at the Crusaders and start again really.
"It will allow us to regroup. We were a bit beaten and battered leading into this game and probably didn't have the same zip we had in the previous couple of weeks.
"Going to Christchurch is a great challenge they haven't lost down there for a long time so it doesn't take much motivation to get excited about it."
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger, meanwhile, does not expect Nehe Milner-Skudder to be available for selection next week despite losing wing Sam Gilbert to a knee injury against the Blues.
Mauger instead predicted the former All Black would return the following week against the Hurricanes, his former team, in Wellington.
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We can all see this problem, eh? Love the clips showing how smart opposition coaches exploit it though. Thanks, Nick.
Borthwick has obviously earned the right to expect people to look elsewhere when the sort of personal problems likely at the heart of Jones' departure occur but it's hard to believe he's, if not entirely to blame, at least most of the problem.
England seem between choices in every aspect of their play to me right now
Go to commentsBM My rugby fanaticism journey began as a youngster waking up in the early hours of the morning with a cup of coffee to watch the Boks play the ABs on that 1981 rebel tour, where we lost the last game in the dying seconds to a penalty, and ended up losing the series 2-1. Danie Gerber, Naas Botha, Ray Mordt, and DuPlessis, to name a few; what a team! I believe we could've won another World Cup with those boys playing in their prime.
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