New Force Halfback from Southland (NZ)

[The InnFORCEr]

May the Force be with you, Adam Clarke
By LOGAN SAVORY - The Southland Times | Saturday, 17 November 2007




From discarded Stag to Super 14 prospect in a matter of a week – it's an unlikely story.

For Adam Clarke, however, it's reality.

The young halfback was thrown a rugby lifeline last week and he now finds himself in the running to play for Australian team Western Force during next year's Super 14.

After being released from his contract with Rugby Southland Clarke took it on himself to hunt out other rugby opportunities.

Thanks to a bit of good fortune and a willingness to push his own profile, Clarke is approaching this biggest challenge of his short career after 15 games for Southland.

Clarke sent his rugby CV to the Cottesloe club in Perth where it was seen by a club member, who luckily enough for Clarke, was also part of the Western Force Rugby Academy.

His CV was then forwarded to Force head coach John Mitchell and last week the former All Black coach called Clarke about the possibility of a Super 14 contract.

"I thought it was a joke. He asked me when I could get over there and I said maybe at the end of the month and he said `what about next week?'." Clarke has an Australian grandfather, which meant Force was able to sign the Southlander under Australian rugby regulations because he qualifies as an Australian.

While Rugby Southland opted to release Clarke from his Stags contract this year it was Southland co-coach Simon Culhane who ultimately cemented his call-up to the Force.

"When Nibs (Culhane) told me I was going to be released he said to me that I could put him down as a referee and I said to him I'd hold him to that, and I did," Clarke said.

"Mitchell got hold of Nibs and he put in a few good words for me and it went from there." Mitchell could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Clarke will fly out to Perth on Tuesday where he has been told he would go straight into training with the Force preparing for next year's Super 14.

The Perth-based franchise also has Australian halfback Matt Henjack on its playing roster.

All going to plan, after the Super 14 Clarke will lineup for the Perth Spirit in the Australian provincial competition.

[The InnFORCEr]

Since this story broke yesterday I have heard plenty of good things about this young bloke and if Mitch wants him here that quickly I would say he's good prospect. Especially when Henjak get his Wallabies promotion.

[bort]

why was he release but?

[The InnFORCEr]

why was he release but?

I can't answer that one, but I'm sure someone out there will have the answer for us real soon.

[chook]

If you love something, set it free.

[jono]

lol kinda doubting that one chook.

[travelling_gerry]

Good to see a Kiwi coming to Australia and getting a proper job.

[James]

why was he release but?

Could be financial reasons. Most of the ANZC provinces that don't line-up with a Super 14 team are doing badly money wise. I am pretty sure Jimmy Cowan plays for Southland making him probably their most expensive player and a definitive for first choice halfback. It may be that he was the second or third choice player and dropped because they couldn't afford another.

Either way its great if he joins for that just in case situation.

[James]

I had a bit of a search about. Jimmy Cowan started every game for the Stags this year and Clarke was the bench scrumhalf for about the first 4 or 5 games until Phil Dawson took over and kept the spot due to his utility status (9 and midfield). I think Clarke had a hand injury. If anyone is at all interested the guy is 23 this year.

[The InnFORCEr]

nice work, thanks James

[bort]

cheers james

[Fullback]

That's some good news. If Mitchell has snapped him up that quickly, it looks like he has found another great halfback for the Force

[GIGS20]

And Mitch seems to be great at finding talent where others don't see it (remember Henners was the backup Wallaby halfback a few years ago, but now.....)

[James]

I imagine that Clarke would be roughly in the mould of someone like Cowan. More of the nuggety, in your face kind of 9. Not offering anything spectacular tactically but solid on defense, solid on attack and constantly applying the pressure on scrums and on the opposition half.

[AndyS]

I'm expecting someone probably at a level with Stannard, maybe a bit higher based on his ANZC exposure, with the two of them fighting it out for the bench spot.