Caleb Clarke faces Yokohama buoyed by Tokyo homecoming
On the eve of the Blues’ final Cross-Border fixture against Yokohama Canon Eagles, the Super Rugby outfit held their final training session in Japan which offered their talent-rich ranks a time to reflect on their trip, but for Caleb Clarke it’s been a sentimental fortnight which allowed him to retrace his childhood.
The rampaging Blues and All Blacks winger, 24, lived in Japan as a child while his father Eroni Clarke played for then-Top League side Ricoh Black Rams.
Auckland-born Clarke called Futako-Tamagawa, a popular suburban neighbourhood located 15 minutes from Shibuya, home from the age of three to seven.
With some downtime in his pre-season stay, top of his sightseeing list was a trip to see where he used to live.
“The area is still the same as it was then, the house is the same and I’m so grateful to be back here,” said the former sevens player who starts on the left wing on Saturday in Yokohama.
A blockbusting force on the field, Clarke is humble and charming while speaking to the media at their Tatsuminomori training base.
“When I went to where we lived, I did a video call with my family and showed them around,” said the third generation international with a meaningful smile.
“Our house was connected to Glen Osborne’s and all the international players were together in this little community. For my dad, playing in Japan and having his family there was very important to him.
“I went to the Ricoh training field. I could see how do my dad still remembered everything and he really misses that place.”
Clarke didn’t play rugby in Japan while his father played in the Top League - the pre-cursor to the fully professional League One - 20 years ago but the sport was not the juggernaut that it is now in the 2019 Rugby World Cup host nation.
“I didn’t really play rugby then; it was more soccer in the streets. What I really remember is supporting my dad when he was playing.”
However, not all of the hulking 6ft 2in, 17 stone dynamo’s memories of Tokyo are recalled with fondness.
Clarke was an injury reserve for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a wider squad member who didn’t play as his teammates took silver after falling to Fiji in the final.
His smile and warmth is temporarily replaced by a more serious tone.
“Any kind of setback, it builds character in people, looking back it wasn’t ideal but in a way I’m grateful I went through it and came out of it a better person.”
While French star Antoine Dupont and long-time Wallabies captain Michael Hooper are gearing up for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Clarke all but closed the door on any chance of a return to sevens down the line.
“Sevens is not really on the list for me anymore, I’m focused on what’s in front of me right now.”
Clarke is not one to rest on his laurels and is constantly evolving his game as he targets success for club and country.
His pre-season started earlier than his Blues teammates as he joined NRL (National Rugby League) side South Sydney Rabbitohs in December for a brief training stint.
“Being around those boys and people I watch every weekend when the NRL is on, that was special for me and I’ve developed new skills, especially around the aerial game.
“How they compete in the air, how they score tries in the corner, it’s something I’ve been working on and I’m thankful to JD (head coach Jason Demetriou) for having me down there.”
Clarke was an observer for his side’s rout of Suntory Sungoliath in the first Cross-Border game a week ago and was impressed with what he saw from the men in blue.
“Vern’s been putting the boys through their paces for the last six-eight weeks and it really showed.
“Suntory brought it last week and put pressure on us in the first half.”
In addition to being an avid follower of the NRL, Clarke has also been keeping tabs on the progress of League One and the star-studded division is now firmly on his radar.
“I’ve been watching on television and highlights on YouTube and I’m impressed by the ball skills and it’s been entertaining to watch.
“It’s cool to see friends like Beauden Barrett and Shannon Frizell jumping in here.”
Clarke’s family is replete with sporting pedigree from his grandfather Iafeta Clarke who played for Samoa and won gold at the 1963 South Pacific Games, to his father Eroni, an Auckland legend and All Black international and his aunty Sheryl Scanlan (née Clarke) who played netball first for Samoa and then for New Zealand.
The weight of that linage and history is not lost on the family’s latest Kiwi incumbent.
“It’s about adding on to their legacy for me, my father, my grandfather, even my aunty and uncles are all part of that and it’s a big thing for me.
“I have younger brothers and now they’re coming through, I don’t want to pressure them but they know they have to do well (laughs).”
Clarke is itching to get out there on Saturday and to do what he does best for the first time in 2024.
“October was my last game (for New Zealand v Namibia at the World Cup), I lost a few kilograms in pre-season but maybe I’ve put it back on here in Japan (laughs).
“It’s a new, young group and we’re excited to get out there. I’ve watched Canon and they score so many tries, they put a lot of points on the board, so that’s something for us to watch out for.
“There’s pressure on me to perform but I’m really looking forward it.”
With his ties to Japan and the highly-lucrative League One attracting global stars of the game, who are at the peak of their powers, Clarke knew what question was coming next.
Every elite current player must have contemplated the idea of plying their trade in Japan and Clarke is no different.
“Playing in League One definitely interests me, Japan is a great country and there’s a good relationship between Japan Rugby and New Zealand Rugby so hopefully I can do it one day.”
Clarke, though, steers the conversation back to his beloved Blues.
“For now, I want to add to my dad’s legacy at the blues.”
The unassuming talent believes he plays his best rugby when he’s having fun and reiterated what matters the most to him.
“For me all I want to do is have fun every week. The biggest thing for me is not putting too much pressure on myself. I want to connect with the boys and make sure my family and friends are ok and I come in every day just being grateful for where I am.”
Cross-Border Rugby 2024
Yokohama Canon Eagles v Blues
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, 12:10 KO
Watch live on JSPORT/Sky Sport NZL (4pm)
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