Caleb Clarke says he is praying he goes the right way when the All Blacks winger tackles Springbok sidestepper Cheslin Kolbe at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Clarke has been picked ahead of the benched Mark Tele’a for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg, the first time the rivals face off since the 2023 World Cup final.
While Tele’a started in Paris, this weekend it will be Clarke’s job to go toe-to-toe with the in-form Kolbe.
“We have all seen it,” Clarke stated. “He doesn’t need much space to create things, so it’s just making sure we are connected when we are coming up against him.
“You pray you go the right way when he steps,” he added with a laugh.
The All Blacks are currently on a two-game losing streak to the Boks, which includes the World Cup final, as well as the record defeat in a warm-up match at Twickenham last year.
However, Clarke explained that despite the heartbreak, revenge is not something the All Blacks have spoken about.
“It was a feeling of heartbreak of not doing something that we were … I was really feeling for the boys that were out there, it was hard just thinking about it,” he said.
“It was a real tough time, but naturally we had that in the back of our minds but it hasn’t been the biggest of priorities around revenge or the theme of avenging the final.
“What we have been really talking about this week is nailing our role and how big of an opportunity this is to play here and just to try and get the win.
“The whole idea around revenge for the World Cup [loss] isn’t the biggest priority for us as a team. It’s just about putting out a performance that we are proud of.
“We have put in a good week, so we are all looking forward to it.”
Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
