All Blacks flyer leaves open ‘dream’ rugby league move despite extending New Zealand Rugby contract

All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke has decided to remain with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) for now after previously expressing a desire to switch codes.

The speedster trained with the South Sydney Rabbitohs ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign and seemed intent on a move to rugby league at some point in his career.

Clarke stated in December that it “would be an actual dream come true” to play in the NRL when he spent a few days with the Rabbitohs.

With his NZR contract expiring at the end of 2024, there was a thought that he could follow Australians Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase to the 13-man game, but the wing has opted to stay put for the time being.

Keeping options open

However, it is only for one year after the flyer agreed a new deal with the governing body until the end of 2025.

That will keep him at the Blues for at least another season, but Clarke is certainly keeping his options open.

“It depends, but I am really just looking at rugby and focusing on that at the moment,” Clarke responded when asked about his rugby league hopes on Wednesday.

“It would be pretty cool, but again it is just all rugby for me. As much as I did love my time at the Rabbitohs, that is still something I haven’t really looked at. I am just really focused on the rugby.”

Clarke burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old, starring for the New Zealand age-grade side as they claimed the World Rugby U20 Championship title in 2017.

The wing then impressed for the sevens outfit before he became a key player for the Blues and earned his first All Blacks cap in 2020.

“Caleb is a talented athlete and a quality person who is getting better at his craft. It’s great to have him in the All Blacks,” New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said.

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Clarke has gone on to become a mainstay in the national squad, earning 21 caps, but the 25-year-old has struggled to cement a place in the first XV.

Robertson selected him in the wider training group for the mid-year series, but he only played in the Fiji clash after missing out on the England games.

However, he will give himself at least another 12 months to get himself back as first choice after committing to NZR.

Clarke excelled in Super Rugby in 2024 as the Blues marched to their first title in 21 years and he will hope to build on that form both internationally and back at franchise level in 2025.

The challenge

“I love this club, my family have a strong connection to the Blues and I’m proud to continue to add to that legacy,” Clarke said.

“Being part of a championship winning side was special. It’s something many of us at the Blues have strived for in recent years, so to get over the line and win Super Rugby Pacific was a dream come true.

“The challenge now is to continue improving – teams will come hunting for us in 2025 and we need to be ready to meet that challenge.”

Blues boss Vern Cotter added: “It’s excellent to see Caleb back in blue for another season, we love the energy he brings to our group.

“He’s a powerful ball carrier, has markedly improved his defence and displayed his brilliant aerial skills from restarts and contestable kicks throughout last season.

“What was really impressive was Caleb’s ability to adapt his game to suit our style of play. He was constantly hungry for work and wasn’t afraid to get into the thick of things and mix it with the forwards.”

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