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Watch: Caleb Clarke's superman try has to be seen to be believed
By Ben Smith
Blues winger Caleb Clarke has produced an unbelievable try in the Blues 57-22 win over the Yokohama Canon Eagles in the pre-season Cross Border fixture.
The 24-year-old looked in sublime form as he bagged a hat-trick, but it was his second that stunned the crowd as he flew through the air to snag a kick that seemed destined to go past the dead ball line.
The never-say-die effort saw Clarke launch at full speed to catch the ball and squeeze it end-down just inside the in-goal area. Even at full speed the try seemed dubious, looking improbable until slow mo replays confirmed the score.
The All Black wing's brace completed a first half blitz by the Blues which saw them take a 31-5 half-time lead.
Clarke originally opened the scoring with a regulation finish following smart hands from Stephen Perofeta and Zarn Sullivan to free the left wing.
Perofeta scooped the Blues' second try off a loose pass that he intercepted before he turned provider to set-up in-form midfielder Corey Evans.
Clarke scored his hat-trick less than two minutes into the second half with an acrobatic finish in the corner following a burst through the line from lock Josh Beehre. An offload from centre Meihana Grindlay gave Clarke the open run-in for the score.
A breakaway try to halfback Sam Nock brought up 50 for the visitors while a final try to Cole Forbes finished off the massive win.
The nine-try thumping continued the Blues' ominous pre-season form after dispatching Tokyo Sungoliath last week.
They will return home to face the Chiefs in a final pre-season hitout, who will also return from Japan after a close 35-30 win over the Kubota Spears.
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Latest Comments
Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.
It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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