Rugby: Clarke hopeful of one last test chance

By Chris Rattue

Eroni Clarke has returned to the rugby training field for the first time in four months, still hoping he will be fit for Auckland's opening NPC clash against Wellington on August 13.

And while Clarke knows the odds are against his winning a place in the World Cup squad, he said an early return in the NPC would at least give him a glimmer of hope before the All Black squad are named in late August.

The Auckland squad got together for the first time at Eden Park yesterday under new coaches Wayne Pivac and Grant Fox.

Clarke, who needed an operation on the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in the Blues' first-round Super 12 match at Carisbrook, did some light running.

The 10-test All Black centre is adamant he will not be rushed into a return, but said his rehabilitation had been going well.

"I woke up this morning and turned to my wife and said 'this is the first day back at training, the beginning of the comeback'," he said.

"It felt great to pack the gear in the bag again and head off to the hallowed turf. It was great to get back in the changing-rooms and say hello to all the boys and put the boots on. I was really excited.

"Auckland are training five mornings a week and I will be there every day, but we will have to make an assessment each time on how I've come through the previous day's training.

"I won't be rushing into a return. I want to play for Auckland again and play well, and not go out there without being totally confident about my fitness. That is important for me and important for Auckland rugby as well.

"The All Black selectors are not naming the World Cup squad until a few weeks into the NPC so there is a message there for everybody."

Clarke has worked with his personal trainer, Malu Muinu'u, three times a week and built up the muscles around the injured area, although surgeons have warned him away from explosive training work yet.

An All Black recall must still be a long-odds proposition, particularly as All Black coach John Hart has expressed reservations about Clarke at test level.

But with Jeremy Stanley out for the season through injury the door is not quite as closed as it may have been, and centre remains a position where the All Black depth is not quite what it is in other areas. No player has yet marked himself as the undisputed successor to Frank Bunce.

The 30-year-old Clarke described his time away from playing as "quite refreshing" and while he aims to be playing for a few more seasons yet, said it gave him time to think about his future after the game.

"At this point I think my life will be involved in ministry work," said Clarke, who belongs to the Community Christian Fellowship.