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Bledisloe Cup: Australian media stunned by All Blacks rookie Caleb Clarke

Author
Newstalk ZB / NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Oct 2020, 1:27PM
Caleb Clarke bounces off a Wallaby tackle at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images
Caleb Clarke bounces off a Wallaby tackle at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

Bledisloe Cup: Australian media stunned by All Blacks rookie Caleb Clarke

Author
Newstalk ZB / NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Oct 2020, 1:27PM

It was an all too familiar sight - the Wallabies imploding in a test at Eden Park - but this time at the hands of an unheralded tormentor in chief.

That was the view of Australian media in the immediate aftermath of the All Blacks' crushing 27-7 victory in the second Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland, a week after Dave Rennie's charges came to within a goalpost's width of an historic upset in Wellington.

But while Aussie rugby scribes were divided in their reasons for the Wallabies' defeat, tightening the All Black's near two-decade long grip on the Bledisloe Cup, they were unanimous in their praise for rookie winger Caleb Clarke, who was near faultless in his run-on debut.

Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, Tom Decent said comparisons to the late great Jonah Lomu weren't far off the mark.

"The Dave Rennie era started with optimism rife following last week's draw in Wellington but Sunday's 27-7 loss has rammed home just how hard it is to slay the All Blacks at a venue they have not tasted defeat at since 1994," wrote Decent.

"If anyone thought Caleb Clarke's 11-minute cameo last week was a fluke, the performance of the All Blacks winger on Sunday was three times as good. His 123 metres from eight carries did not paint the full picture as he bumped off Wallabies defenders like a 16-year-old playing in the under-10s.

"The inevitable comparisons to Jonah Lomu are absolutely valid after two sensational showings."

Caleb Clarke with parents Eroni and Siala after the second Bledisloe Cup test. Photo / PhotosportCaleb Clarke with parents Eroni and Siala after the second Bledisloe Cup test. Photo / Photosport

Clarke's performance drew resemblance to those of Dad Eroni in his heyday, according to The Australian's Wayne Smith.

"Fullback Beauden Barrett, back at the ground where he scored four tries against the Wallabies two years ago, beat tackle after tackle but the alarm bells were really ringing in the Australian side any time Caleb Clarke was in possession.

"Just like his father, former All Black Eroni Clarke – watching on proudly from the stands – Caleb simply refused to be tackled and even Australia's best first-half defender, Michael Hooper, was struggling to hold him."

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