1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,987 Speaker 2: Turn to the rugby field tomorrow. For Caleb Clark when 4 00:00:16,067 --> 00:00:20,067 Speaker 2: Auckland played Wellington at Bodydoor Park, he has recovered from 5 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:21,027 Speaker 2: his ankle injury. 6 00:00:21,467 --> 00:00:24,547 Speaker 3: Now for Anton Lena Proud through the Old Blacks Panda 7 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:28,747 Speaker 3: Park on half time. McKenzie runs a nice one, makes 8 00:00:28,827 --> 00:00:31,507 Speaker 3: up handa park. Clark swerving his way through I would 9 00:00:31,507 --> 00:00:34,027 Speaker 3: have made a short and Becky wasn't. He managed to 10 00:00:34,067 --> 00:00:37,187 Speaker 3: get over momentum power Payla Park. 11 00:00:37,427 --> 00:00:38,387 Speaker 4: But try this time. 12 00:00:38,547 --> 00:00:40,067 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm sure the All Blacks would love to have 13 00:00:40,107 --> 00:00:43,827 Speaker 2: that sort of try scoring ability back at their disposal 14 00:00:43,947 --> 00:00:47,027 Speaker 2: next weekend. That's all to come. Caleb Clarke with is 15 00:00:47,067 --> 00:00:49,147 Speaker 2: with us on Weekend Sport. Can you just remind us 16 00:00:49,147 --> 00:00:52,587 Speaker 2: Caleb how and when the ankle injury occurred? 17 00:00:53,747 --> 00:00:56,427 Speaker 5: O good, good to be on the show. 18 00:00:57,187 --> 00:00:59,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, it just happened sort of that week we were 19 00:00:59,547 --> 00:01:04,587 Speaker 4: preparing to play France and Wellington sort of that last 20 00:01:04,627 --> 00:01:09,147 Speaker 4: big session and yeah, just a little accident on the 21 00:01:09,507 --> 00:01:11,867 Speaker 4: training field. Just one of the players just made a 22 00:01:11,947 --> 00:01:13,787 Speaker 4: tack when he swung around and collected me on the 23 00:01:13,827 --> 00:01:17,107 Speaker 4: other side. So for a couple of ligaments in the ankle. 24 00:01:17,187 --> 00:01:19,587 Speaker 4: But now we're now we're back and ready to go. 25 00:01:19,587 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 2: Good to hear. So what is the recovery mainly consistent 26 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:25,587 Speaker 2: of Caleb? Have you been able to do any any 27 00:01:25,667 --> 00:01:27,587 Speaker 2: cardigo for example, get on the bike. Have you been 28 00:01:27,587 --> 00:01:30,427 Speaker 2: able to do anything of that sort. 29 00:01:30,307 --> 00:01:32,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, a little bit like that. The first two weeks. 30 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:36,667 Speaker 4: Was pretty much staying offered and lived in a moon 31 00:01:36,667 --> 00:01:40,467 Speaker 4: boot for yeah, the first two weeks, but found other 32 00:01:40,507 --> 00:01:41,787 Speaker 4: ways to stay fit. 33 00:01:41,947 --> 00:01:45,347 Speaker 5: So the skiater, the salt bike and the grinder became 34 00:01:45,387 --> 00:01:48,947 Speaker 5: my three best friends over those weeks. But as soon 35 00:01:48,987 --> 00:01:51,387 Speaker 5: as I could get on a lot bike and start that, 36 00:01:51,467 --> 00:01:53,307 Speaker 5: then yeah, that's what I did. 37 00:01:53,387 --> 00:01:55,787 Speaker 4: But nothink in a place good old running and good 38 00:01:55,787 --> 00:01:58,907 Speaker 4: old rugby. So once I got back on that training 39 00:01:58,907 --> 00:02:02,107 Speaker 4: field around week four, then yeah, that really got to 40 00:02:02,107 --> 00:02:02,667 Speaker 4: put the work in. 41 00:02:03,027 --> 00:02:05,587 Speaker 2: So was your last game of rugby then at the 42 00:02:05,667 --> 00:02:06,947 Speaker 2: end of rugby? 43 00:02:07,547 --> 00:02:09,107 Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah it would have been. 44 00:02:09,187 --> 00:02:11,707 Speaker 4: Yeah that christ shirts. 45 00:02:13,067 --> 00:02:16,187 Speaker 6: Well but yeah, excited and ready to go. 46 00:02:16,427 --> 00:02:18,227 Speaker 2: It seems like a long time ago. Well, great to 47 00:02:18,227 --> 00:02:21,107 Speaker 2: have your back. How challenging though, has it been watching 48 00:02:21,147 --> 00:02:23,867 Speaker 2: both Auckland and also the All Blacks in the time 49 00:02:23,907 --> 00:02:25,907 Speaker 2: that you've been on the sidelines and not being able 50 00:02:25,907 --> 00:02:26,587 Speaker 2: to help them out. 51 00:02:27,467 --> 00:02:30,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, like any rugby player would be just just inching 52 00:02:30,707 --> 00:02:31,267 Speaker 4: to get out there. 53 00:02:31,307 --> 00:02:33,947 Speaker 6: So did hurt a little bit, but you know, added 54 00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:36,267 Speaker 6: a bit more fuel to the fire and being with 55 00:02:36,307 --> 00:02:37,107 Speaker 6: the Falkland. 56 00:02:36,827 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 4: Side if it's really exciting. 57 00:02:38,467 --> 00:02:39,947 Speaker 6: We've got some young players. 58 00:02:39,587 --> 00:02:43,107 Speaker 4: That are are super talented but just haven't gone the 59 00:02:43,187 --> 00:02:47,147 Speaker 4: right results. So I'll find a I've kind of learned 60 00:02:47,147 --> 00:02:50,227 Speaker 4: a little bit more get myself and growing myself in 61 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:52,507 Speaker 4: the leader space and trying to just build the confidence 62 00:02:53,027 --> 00:02:56,867 Speaker 4: and yeah, just have some fun and get that Internet 63 00:02:56,867 --> 00:02:57,107 Speaker 4: back in. 64 00:02:57,787 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 2: That is the silver lining I think, isn't it that 65 00:02:59,467 --> 00:03:01,627 Speaker 2: you get the chance to go back to your province 66 00:03:01,707 --> 00:03:05,867 Speaker 2: and be influential there is that the role that returning 67 00:03:05,867 --> 00:03:08,707 Speaker 2: All Blacks are asked to play within their MPC sides 68 00:03:08,747 --> 00:03:10,787 Speaker 2: off and here the All Blacks coaches say that you 69 00:03:10,787 --> 00:03:12,947 Speaker 2: know you meant to go back into your provinces and 70 00:03:12,947 --> 00:03:15,947 Speaker 2: and and lead to be the All Black in that team. 71 00:03:16,027 --> 00:03:17,747 Speaker 2: Is that is that the message you've given? 72 00:03:18,747 --> 00:03:19,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, definitely. 73 00:03:19,907 --> 00:03:21,947 Speaker 6: And Commas Razer has just. 74 00:03:21,907 --> 00:03:24,987 Speaker 5: Been around only my feet and where I am, So. 75 00:03:25,787 --> 00:03:29,107 Speaker 4: It's the awkward side and just building confidence and having 76 00:03:29,107 --> 00:03:33,787 Speaker 4: fun with the boys, and yeah, just just leadership bront 77 00:03:33,867 --> 00:03:36,147 Speaker 4: in this team. I look around, there's probably fourth I 78 00:03:36,147 --> 00:03:39,027 Speaker 4: said it over there of twenty fourth there. It's a 79 00:03:39,147 --> 00:03:42,227 Speaker 4: it's a young side and it's a new, new sort 80 00:03:42,227 --> 00:03:44,307 Speaker 4: of way to lead. But I'm really excited and. 81 00:03:44,347 --> 00:03:46,067 Speaker 6: Yeah, just happy to be back there on Sunday. 82 00:03:46,307 --> 00:03:47,427 Speaker 4: Be back up on Sunday. 83 00:03:47,667 --> 00:03:50,467 Speaker 2: During your time on the sidelines, have you had much 84 00:03:50,627 --> 00:03:52,987 Speaker 2: contact with Scott robertson the other all Blacks coaches, the 85 00:03:53,027 --> 00:03:55,227 Speaker 2: management team, maybe the medical staff as well. 86 00:03:55,827 --> 00:04:00,067 Speaker 6: Yeah, we probably had more contact with medical and the SENC. 87 00:04:00,267 --> 00:04:03,587 Speaker 4: So I had a lot of conmos with Macha who's 88 00:04:03,627 --> 00:04:09,987 Speaker 4: the physio, Gilly l Senc and caepe cat cat our muticians, 89 00:04:09,987 --> 00:04:14,427 Speaker 4: and then had conversations with some my but Tamady and 90 00:04:15,107 --> 00:04:16,387 Speaker 4: Jason and healthy. 91 00:04:16,507 --> 00:04:20,187 Speaker 5: So yeah, it's they've been good keeping contact. 92 00:04:20,787 --> 00:04:23,747 Speaker 4: It's actually be on my hand or playing because I 93 00:04:23,827 --> 00:04:26,947 Speaker 4: kept going I said the same thing, they' that's my thought. 94 00:04:26,947 --> 00:04:29,267 Speaker 6: I need to be better at that. But they've been 95 00:04:29,267 --> 00:04:29,707 Speaker 6: really good. 96 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:34,587 Speaker 2: Provided you get through tomorrow, okay, then would you theoretically 97 00:04:35,187 --> 00:04:37,347 Speaker 2: be ready to play against the spring Box a week 98 00:04:37,387 --> 00:04:37,787 Speaker 2: from now? 99 00:04:38,947 --> 00:04:40,827 Speaker 1: Oh? 100 00:04:41,267 --> 00:04:43,307 Speaker 4: My my hand is up so now that I'm back 101 00:04:43,307 --> 00:04:46,947 Speaker 4: with Awkward, I'm ready to go and just putting my 102 00:04:46,947 --> 00:04:49,507 Speaker 4: hand up as best I can. So pretty much that's 103 00:04:49,507 --> 00:04:52,307 Speaker 4: down to down to the coaches and how they want 104 00:04:52,307 --> 00:04:55,307 Speaker 4: to go, But me personally, my hand is always up 105 00:04:55,307 --> 00:04:56,267 Speaker 4: and I'm just ready to go. 106 00:04:56,347 --> 00:04:56,507 Speaker 5: Now. 107 00:04:56,707 --> 00:04:58,627 Speaker 2: I'm sure you've had a close eye on the All 108 00:04:58,667 --> 00:05:00,507 Speaker 2: Blacks test matches and there's been a lot of chat 109 00:05:00,587 --> 00:05:04,507 Speaker 2: about the aerial battle. Winning the aerial battle. How important 110 00:05:04,507 --> 00:05:06,107 Speaker 2: that's become in top level right me, not just in 111 00:05:06,147 --> 00:05:08,627 Speaker 2: te matches but an All Rugby. Really, how much do 112 00:05:08,707 --> 00:05:11,507 Speaker 2: you pride yourself personally, Caleb on that part of your game. 113 00:05:13,267 --> 00:05:15,827 Speaker 4: Oh, It's just something that I've developed over the years, 114 00:05:15,907 --> 00:05:18,067 Speaker 4: especially you know, it started in the sevens a few 115 00:05:18,107 --> 00:05:21,667 Speaker 4: years ago. Leam Barry was the one that Jordan into 116 00:05:22,587 --> 00:05:24,667 Speaker 4: myself in will Warbrick and that's sort of whether the 117 00:05:24,947 --> 00:05:27,907 Speaker 4: love for the aerial game started. But over the years 118 00:05:27,947 --> 00:05:31,747 Speaker 4: I got to work alongside some special people and. 119 00:05:30,947 --> 00:05:33,067 Speaker 6: You know, with the league and a lot of the revenues, 120 00:05:33,107 --> 00:05:37,187 Speaker 6: boys just helped define some of that skill. So yeah, 121 00:05:37,347 --> 00:05:39,227 Speaker 6: I really enjoyed and it's one of the parts of 122 00:05:39,227 --> 00:05:42,587 Speaker 6: the game that I feel like I can sort of 123 00:05:42,627 --> 00:05:45,907 Speaker 6: take leading. So yeah, it's now with that rule change 124 00:05:46,067 --> 00:05:48,267 Speaker 6: last year, it's just it's become such a key part 125 00:05:48,307 --> 00:05:50,467 Speaker 6: of the game and that sort of excites me. 126 00:05:50,947 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, tell me more about that. How much has that 127 00:05:53,107 --> 00:05:57,067 Speaker 2: rule change change things in the aerial battle. 128 00:05:57,907 --> 00:06:00,867 Speaker 7: It's just the fact that you particular anymore and it's 129 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:03,867 Speaker 7: become just a one on one battle. And in the 130 00:06:03,987 --> 00:06:06,907 Speaker 7: air I think the team that sort of texter has 131 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:09,187 Speaker 7: more of a chance of getting the ball back. The 132 00:06:09,987 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 7: favors that team, and yeah, again it's just a massive 133 00:06:13,267 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 7: momentum shift. 134 00:06:13,987 --> 00:06:16,187 Speaker 6: If you get it wrong, you know, it's a scrum 135 00:06:16,267 --> 00:06:18,627 Speaker 6: back to the other team or penalty at work. So 136 00:06:19,707 --> 00:06:22,227 Speaker 6: I think, yeah, that real change has made it quite interesting. 137 00:06:22,307 --> 00:06:24,907 Speaker 4: I couldn't remember back to France was probably the first 138 00:06:24,947 --> 00:06:26,667 Speaker 4: time when we played the French and we started getting 139 00:06:26,667 --> 00:06:30,587 Speaker 4: penalized for it, it started to really show. So yeah, 140 00:06:30,747 --> 00:06:33,067 Speaker 4: so it's an interesting one. 141 00:06:33,747 --> 00:06:35,787 Speaker 6: It helps me when I'm chasing the ball there. 142 00:06:36,227 --> 00:06:38,587 Speaker 2: And off the field. Caleb, it's been a challenging time 143 00:06:38,707 --> 00:06:42,867 Speaker 2: for you. In June, you pled guilty to dangerous driving 144 00:06:42,987 --> 00:06:46,507 Speaker 2: and failing to stop for police. Back in December, how 145 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:49,187 Speaker 2: do you reflect on that incident In the last few 146 00:06:49,187 --> 00:06:49,747 Speaker 2: months now. 147 00:06:51,027 --> 00:06:53,707 Speaker 4: Yeah, So one of those things that happened in life 148 00:06:53,787 --> 00:06:58,827 Speaker 4: for me that I've grown a lot from throughout that time. 149 00:06:58,747 --> 00:07:01,827 Speaker 8: Especially sort of just to hear what the ball was 150 00:07:01,827 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 8: going to say with probably some of the hardest things 151 00:07:03,987 --> 00:07:05,987 Speaker 8: that I've had and to be feared that was happening 152 00:07:05,987 --> 00:07:09,467 Speaker 8: all through Super So just sitting it through the unknowns, Bobby, 153 00:07:10,787 --> 00:07:14,187 Speaker 8: a big learning curve for me and a victims not 154 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 8: only myself, but my my family and all my loved ones. 155 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:19,987 Speaker 6: So yeah, so that's the part that's that's grown me 156 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:23,147 Speaker 6: a lot, and now that it's all past, I'm definitely 157 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:26,067 Speaker 6: learned my lesson and just ready to keep being sort 158 00:07:26,107 --> 00:07:29,387 Speaker 6: of that positive, politive person in the community, but also 159 00:07:29,507 --> 00:07:31,867 Speaker 6: just getting back into rugby, ready to rip. 160 00:07:32,267 --> 00:07:35,667 Speaker 2: Well said, Well said. We're all looking forward to seeing 161 00:07:35,667 --> 00:07:38,267 Speaker 2: you back out on the field for Auckland tomorrow in 162 00:07:38,267 --> 00:07:40,387 Speaker 2: the first instance, Caleb, and who knows a week from now, 163 00:07:40,387 --> 00:07:42,627 Speaker 2: maybe in a black jersey as well. All the best 164 00:07:42,867 --> 00:07:45,387 Speaker 2: against the Wellington lines and Potado. Thanks for your time today, mate, 165 00:07:45,827 --> 00:07:49,507 Speaker 2: Thanks Caleb. Caleb Clark there joining us so yeah, back 166 00:07:49,507 --> 00:07:52,187 Speaker 2: on the field. Hasn't played since the final game of 167 00:07:52,227 --> 00:07:56,667 Speaker 2: Super Rugby, but ankle injuries I guess you can. You 168 00:07:56,707 --> 00:07:59,267 Speaker 2: can keep up with your cardio. As as Caleb said there, 169 00:07:59,827 --> 00:08:01,987 Speaker 2: you just hope that he hasn't lost anything in terms 170 00:08:01,987 --> 00:08:04,587 Speaker 2: of his ability to jump, because I get the feeling 171 00:08:04,627 --> 00:08:06,787 Speaker 2: listening to Break and pauls an hour ago that that's 172 00:08:06,787 --> 00:08:11,267 Speaker 2: what South Africa will bring to the Garden of Eden 173 00:08:11,307 --> 00:08:14,667 Speaker 2: next Saturday night. An aerial game, a kicking game. Look, 174 00:08:14,707 --> 00:08:17,267 Speaker 2: I think there's a huge temptation to bring Caleb Clarke 175 00:08:17,387 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 2: back into the twenty three at the very least, and 176 00:08:20,507 --> 00:08:23,347 Speaker 2: maybe even straight back in depending how he goes tomorrow. 177 00:08:23,667 --> 00:08:26,107 Speaker 2: If he gets through tomorrow, Okay, I think you're back, 178 00:08:26,187 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 2: Caleb Clark in to that eleven jumper next weekend. What 179 00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:33,747 Speaker 2: you're doing and around that, I'm not sure, but yeah, 180 00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:37,027 Speaker 2: I just think you you know, they know what's coming. 181 00:08:38,107 --> 00:08:41,867 Speaker 2: The aerial battle was a huge part of that second 182 00:08:41,867 --> 00:08:45,227 Speaker 2: test in particular against Argentina and the first one as well. Actually, 183 00:08:45,787 --> 00:08:47,827 Speaker 2: and the All Blacks have said all year it's a 184 00:08:47,867 --> 00:08:50,467 Speaker 2: real work on for them, something that they really have 185 00:08:50,587 --> 00:08:54,547 Speaker 2: to address. And Caleb Clark has long been regarded as 186 00:08:55,027 --> 00:08:58,147 Speaker 2: one of the best when it comes to diffusing high kicks. 187 00:08:58,547 --> 00:09:00,707 Speaker 2: So I think the temptation would have to be there, 188 00:09:00,707 --> 00:09:03,587 Speaker 2: wouldn't it to bring him straight back in. We will 189 00:09:03,587 --> 00:09:06,027 Speaker 2: wait and see the team is named on Thursday. 190 00:09:06,827 --> 00:09:10,027 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 191 00:09:10,147 --> 00:09:13,427 Speaker 1: to news talks at B Weekends from midday, or follow 192 00:09:13,467 --> 00:09:15,067 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio