Moving on: Craig Clarke
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Connacht have announced the signing of Chiefs co-captain and second-row forward Craig Clarke on a three-year deal from RaboDirect PRO12 2013/14.
New Zealand-born lock Clarke, 29, captained the Chiefs to the Super Rugby title in 2012, leading the side in the 37-6 demolition of the Sharks.
Clarke represented the Junior All Blacks in their 2009 IRB Pacific Nations Cup campaign, his debut coming against Samoa. He then started against Japan where he scored a try for the side and Connacht Rugby CEO Tom Sears admitted he was delighted with the high-profile coup.
"We are absolutely delighted with this key signing - it is a major coup for Connacht. This is something we have been working towards for some time now and the fact a player of Craig's calibre has chosen to commit to Connacht is a clear sign of the progress we have made and our intent going forward," he told Connacht's website.
"Our coaching staff is delighted to have Craig on board, he has all of the qualities we are looking for on and off the field and we have no doubt that he will be a major influence for Connacht in the seasons to come. With a three year deal Craig has shown he really believes in what we are doing and the potential we have. After leading the Chiefs to the Super XV title last season Craig certainly wasn't short of options - he has chosen Connacht because he wants to be a part of what is happening here.
"Our squad recruitment and retention programme for next season has gone very well. We still have a number of areas we are working on but this is a key part of the plan that has fallen into place."
Comments
ferdie says...
We (Taranaki) lose our captain. Top player, he along with Jason Eaton/Jarrad Hoeta have been a winning lock combination in recent years.
69 games for Taranaki ( Ranfurly Shield-winning side) and 57 games for the Chiefs. Before that, he played 12 games for Canterbury in 2005 and 2006, three for the Crusaders in 2006 and 13 for the Hurricanes in 2008.
Best of luck to him - and a chance to catch up with former team-mate Michael Bent.
The last word from coach Colin Cooper sums it up: "Craig leaves a remarkable legacy as a captain and as a player. Craig's professionalism and calm, considered leadership style earned him respect on and off the field."
Posted 00:12 19th February 2013
leinster_goy says...
as far as i'm aware, both mccarthy and roux are tighthead locks. doesn't that mean we can bring in an overseas loosehead lock? unless of course the IRFUSSR numpty dumpties are so spasticated that they don't even know that those are actually two different positions
Posted 18:35 18th February 2013
BiggyFint says...
The directive doesn't apply to Connacht. Were not considered to be at the stage in our development were we should be handicapped by the foreign player rule. Everyone should be happy. Leinster have a great lock in McCarthy which they badly needed and Connacht have signed an Irish qualified lock in Muldowney from Exeter and an outstanding leader in Clarke. This is a signing of real vision. Clarke will be just what we need to drive the young forwards forward while parks will direct the backs. This is a great signing for Connacht and at 29 he has a hell of a lot to offer.
Posted 18:17 18th February 2013
HughT93 says...
Lads you've got it slightly wrong. Connacht are exempt from the new foreigner rule.. i'm not quite sure how it works out for the other 3 but Connacht are allowed to sign who they want as far as the IRFU are concerned... i remember from when they announced the rules - something about Connacht still being in development ?
Posted 18:10 18th February 2013
kybone says...
Whats this, Irish fans in favour of bringing foreign players in. I thought only the English and French payed for foreign players to come over, while everyone else has to work with whatever they're left with.
Posted 17:14 18th February 2013
ronanmeagher says...
I'm guessing the reason Leinster weren't allow replace Roux is due to the newish IRFU directive that a province cannot replace an out-going foreigner with another one.
Muller @ Ulster and now Clarke are the 2 allowable foreign/non-Irish qualified players for the 2nd row.
Posted 17:13 18th February 2013
leinster_goy says...
@papachinzo
is that true? surely if quinn roux is leaving at the end of his 1-year contract (and i think most Leinster fans agree that he should), then we are entitled to go for another overseas lock
Posted 17:05 18th February 2013
papachinzo says...
Leinster were looking for a foreign second row, the IRFU wouldn't allow them to have one... what. is. the. craic ??!!!!
Delighted for Connacht however, hope they progress more this and next season.
Posted 16:35 18th February 2013
Theshaw says...
Wil this guy be irish qualified then?
Posted 15:50 18th February 2013
connaughtabu says...
Looks like an excellent replacement for McCarthy - well done Connacht!
Posted 14:19 18th February 2013
wexman says...
Absolutely fantastic signing for Connacht, delighted for them! Perhaps an even better player than McCarthy?
Posted 14:11 18th February 2013