New Zealand star Caleb Clarke not rushing All Blacks comeback after Tokyo 2020

Caleb Clarke exploded onto the senior circuit last year with New Zealand, but almost 12 months on from his All Blacks debut, the youngster faces an uncertain route back into the national team.

The 22-year-old recently completed his quarantine upon returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he was unused as a travelling reserve in a New Zealand sevens side that took the silver medal.

Having earned five caps for New Zealand towards the end of 2020, Clarke took a risk opting for the Summer Games and returning to sevens instead of continuing his run in the full-sided code.

The Blues winger watched from isolation in his Christchurch hotel as the All Blacks hammered Australia 57-22 to retain the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, hoping to one day join back in on such festivities.

Clarke told Stuff.co.nz he’s at ease regarding a potential return to Ian Foster’s setup, though his 15-a-side comeback is set to begin with provincial outfit Auckland in the NPC.

“I will just be with Auckland, that is where my mindset is at the moment,” he said.

“It is up to Fozzie (All Blacks coach Foster). It is in his and all the selectors’ hands, which I am happy with. I am not in any rush to be anywhere.

“I am just really looking forward to playing 15s rugby. I know I am just excited to get out and play, and it will be awesome to play with Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) as well.’’

A boom back to form with Auckland could pave a path for Clarke to get back in the national team, although competition looks as stiff as ever to land a place among New Zealand’s back line.

Wingers Sevu Reece and Will Jordan were each at their predatory best with a try apiece in the most recent win over the Wallabies, who will host New Zealand in Perth on August 28.

As if that wasn’t enough competition, the national team has Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge among its wing options, and those are just the ones in the squad right now.

Rugby league convert and former New Zealand Warriors star Tuivasa-Sheck is another Auckland asset being linked with the All Blacks, though he’s yet to even make his union debut.

Clarke—son of former All Black Eroni—revealed he’s spoken with Foster and Blues coach Leon MacDonald while in quarantine, though rugby wasn’t the sole topic of conversation: “A lot was about where my mindset was at, how I have dealt with the last few weeks, and what I am looking forward to once I get back playing the 15-man game.’’

He added: “Some of the conversations were to have a little break, which was quite strange given that we have just got out of quarantine, but it was more just around the mental side of around being able to see family and friends and to have a last little break-up of the sevens (squad) as well.’’

The speedster earned his way into the All Blacks setup after impressing at youth level and then with New Zealand sevens, but Clarke failed to feature in this summer’s trip to Japan.

He assured he holds “no regrets” over the experience and felt he gave his “best shot at the Olympics,” but the time may now have come for Clarke to focus fully on 15-a-side.

However, having previously earned comparisons with great Jonah Lomu early on in his career, the starlet is taking his time over what seems an inevitable comeback.

New Zealand continue their 2021 Rugby Championship against Australia later this month before back-to-back double headers against Argentina and South Africa.

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