Blockbusting All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke has been ruled out for the weekend’s potential Grand Slam clincher against England at Twickenham after his head knock in their 25-17 victory over Scotland.
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland confirmed Clarke, who played a strong 44 minutes in Edinburgh before succumbing to a failed HIA, had entered the sport’s mandatory 12-day stand-down for such injuries.
Holland says it’s unlucky for Clarke who has battled ankle injuries in 2025, able to play in just three tests this season.
He also confirmed skipper Scott Barrett was “tracking well” to be available for selection after missing the Scotland test with a laceration to his leg. “A decision will be made on that in the middle part of the week.”
The All Blacks have a multitude of options to replace Clarke in the No 11 jersey, with Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie all hovering as potential replacements, with centre Leicester Fainga’anuku’s ability to push back on to the wing an obvious consideration.
The All Blacks play England at 3.10am Sunday at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Source: Stuff.co
