We catch up with young Blues sensation Caleb Clarke and his father, former All Blacks and Blues legend Eroni Clarke, to find out about life and rugby growing up. Video / Sky Sport
His lawyer seeks a discharge without conviction; sentencing is set for June.
Clarke could face up to three months' imprisonment and fines totalling $14,500.
All Blacks and Blues standout Caleb Clarke has apologised, after admitting to driving dangerously and failing to stop for police.
The 25-year-old winger’s case was called today in the Auckland District Court but he was excused from attending.
“Last year I made an error of judgement while riding my motorbikein Auckland,” a statement released on behalf of Clarke said. “I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions and have entered a guilty plea today.
“I’m extremely apologetic and embarrassed. The court and employment processes are ongoing and I am now going to focus fully on my rugby.”
The Blues later retracted the statement provided on Clarke’s behalf and issued an amended statement saying:
“Blues winger Caleb Clarke has been charged with failing to stop and dangerous driving while riding his motorcycle in Auckland late last year.
“Caleb has admitted the offending and will be sentenced in June. He will now go through both that court process and, once it is complete, an internal employment procedure. Caleb is a valued member of the Blues family and will be provided with support throughout.”
Defence lawyer Rowan Butler entered the pleas on his behalf before community magistrate Kaye Davies. He asked that a plea not be immediately entered so he can request a discharge without conviction on behalf of his client.
Court documents state he was on State Highway 16 in Mt Albert on December 3 when his driving attracted the attention of police.
Further details of the offending, including the agreed summary of facts, have not yet been released to the Herald.
Clarke could face up to three months' imprisonment for driving in a dangerous manner, along with a $4500 fine. Failing to stop for police while exceeding the speed limit is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
Caleb Clarke of the Blues dives for the try line at Eden Park on June 22, 2024. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
Clarke started in nine tests for the All Blacks last year and helped the Blues attain their first Super Rugby title in 21 years. He comes from a rugby union dynasty of sorts: his father, Eroni Clarke, was also a former Blues and All Blacks player, and his grandfather played for the Samoan national rugby team.
Last year’s season has been touted as his best in Super Rugby to date, with Clarke having led in line breaks and metres gained while earning a spot in the top three for tries.
So far, Clarke has played 29 tests for the All Blacks since his debut in 2020, and scored 13 tries.
During a discussion with Newstalk ZB earlier this month, Clarke cited personal reasons for withdrawing his name from the new Super Rugby Pacific fantasy competition.
“It was just going back to those core values and what I wanted to see in the year,” he said.
ALl Blacks Caleb Clarke in action during the Rugby Championship between Wallabies and All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 July 2023. Photo / Raghavan Venugopal / Photosport
“... Some people think that it’s a religious or a faith thing. I’m just going to say: No it’s not. Just setting the record straight, because I don’t want people to start getting the wrong idea. It’s just a personal preference and how I wanted to do it, and fantasy wasn’t a part of it.”
Davies today set a sentencing date for June, at which point Clarke is expected to appear in court.
Clarke is not the first Blues player to appear before the courts.
In 2022, loose forward Dalton Papali’i was able to escape a speeding charge after failure to calibrate speeding gear of the police car.
In 2023, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck pleaded guilty to drink driving, after he blew 453 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath when tested on State Highway 1. Tuivasa-Sheck was convicted and fined $600, and disqualified from driving for six months. He has since left the Blues to return to rugby league with the Warriors.
Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.
Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
