All Blacks star reveals how ‘blessing in disguise’ helped him during France series
All Blacks, Blues and Auckland speedster Caleb Clarke.
Caleb Clarke believes it was “a blessing in disguise” that he sustained an injury during the All Blacks’ Tests with France recently as he was suffering from a lack of confidence.
Clarke, who sustained an ankle injury in the build-up to the second Test between New Zealand and Les Bleus in Wellington last month, revealed that his confidence was low after his brush with the law in December last year.
On the same day that he was included in the first All Blacks squad in June, the 26-year-old was discharged without conviction after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police in Auckland but was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Although he was in the mix to be represent his country in the three-Tests series against France in New Zealand, Clarke said he wasn’t in the right frame of mind at the time as his driving offence and the charge weighed heavily on him and his family.
‘Blessing in disguise that I got injured’
“I’ve said to a few loved ones that it was quite a blessing in disguise that I got injured when I did,” he told 1News. “I was ready to go for the All Blacks but I knew there was a part that I needed to find – and being injured gave me the time to find it.
“I put rugby down as the fourth most important thing for me. It’s family, faith and friends [first]. What happened off the field affected all three of them. Hearing how what happened affected all three of them – and my family, especially my little brothers, was tough to hear.
“It was the unknown and being unsure what was going to happen and what the outcome would be [that was the hardest].
“I lost confidence and I couldn’t focus on day-to-day activities because my mind was so far ahead and that was my fault. it was all on me and making that mistake that night back in December.
“The best thing I can say is I’ve learned from that and I learned not to make impulsive decisions. I know that being in the unknown can shock me to my core. Now that I’ve moved past it, I’m so excited to get out there and play.
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“I’ve grown and learned and am ready to have some fun.”
Clarke has made a full recovery from his ankle injury and is set to return to action for Auckland in their National Provincial Championship (NPC) clash against Wellington in Porirua.
One of 16 All Blacks who will play in the NPC
He is one of 16 players from New Zealand’s Rugby Championship squad who will be in action in the NPC this weekend and it is a momentous occasion for him as it will be his first game for Auckland in the competition since 2020.
Clarke, who was last in action when he represented the Blues during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final defeat to the Crusaders more than two months ago, is excited about his impending return.
He said he is also in top physical shape after losing weight and a fine performance for Auckland could put him in the frame for an All Blacks recall ahead of their eagerly anticipated Rugby Championship Tests against the Springboks in Auckland and Wellington respectively next month.
“This year has been such a rollercoaster for myself,” he said.
“I can say that that Super season was not the best. Being in the All Blacks and around the boys who continually push you and compete got me to the point where I was ready to go. Being injured put me in a better place than I was.
“I’ve got that enjoyment back and freedom. Being with the Auckland boys… it’s a young crew. Looking around the group there are probably only five or six of us that are over 24 or 25.
“Finding new ways to lead… I’m just itching to go and have some fun.”