100 Greatest All Blacks: Don Clarke

Cooks Gardens Wanganui, 1963. Only Bevan Congdon and Murray Chapple escaped the venom of Don Clarke's deliveries as the former All Black fullback claimed eight CD second innings wickets for 37 runs.

Clarke and his four brothers might have been familiar rugby names throughout New Zealand but the burly DB was also a handy cricketer for Auckland and ND as an opening bowler and lower order hitter.

The Boot bowled fast-medium and muscled his way to the crease in 27 first-class matches wedged in between his rugby exploits.

Summer was for cricket, winter was for footy and the rest of the time, Clarke and his brothers were expected to help out on the family farm near Morrinsville. Life was uncomplicated for Clarke who at 110kgs and 1.9m had the size of a forward but always played fullback.

Work around the farm sharpened them all for their sport. Don became the most famous and delighted thousands of youngsters throughout the Waikato when he had time to show off his kicking prowess.

Camel, as he was known, would blast a heavy leather ball obscene distances with either foot. Six penalty goals to beat the Lions in 1959 was no shock for the Waikato faithful nor his touchline conversion in a gale at Athletic Park in 1963.

However there was distress all round with Clarke's permanent exit from New Zealand for South Africa after a court case for stealing a 70c packet of bandages was dismissed in the early 70's.

He founded a tree-felling company in Johannesburg and when the All Blacks toured, Clarke would arrive to reminisce and offer advice. He seemed mellow enough but you wondered how a man whose rugby life had been strongly shaped by his duels with the Boks, really felt about living in their midst.

Statistics
Date of birth: 10 November 1933
Position: Fullback
Test debut: 18 August 1956 v South Africa at Christchurch
Final test: 29 August 1964 v Australia at Wellington
Matches: 89
Tests: 31
Province: Waikato
Test tries: 2
Test points: 207