Personally I don't think he will be called up but it's not as cut and dry as your making out salmson.

It was only weeks ago The NZ Herald was going with this sort of flag waving for Clarke to be called up for the France series

www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cf...=4&objectid=10887919

It's not like his recent performances since then haven't put him in an even stronger position.

Although they don't touch on the contractual situation with us, ultimately if the AB's ask him, do you think Connacht would be able to be anything else but flexible with him?

galway_gas wrote: Usually don't include non home-based players but ominously have included Montpelier bound Rene Ranger.

Chill out lads. NZ only pick players still contracted in NZ. Ranger is contracted to the end of the ITM Cup (end October) so he's available for selection. Clarke is out of contract next weekend, so he's not.

There was talk in NZ of Ranger being bought out of his contract with Montpellier - Conrad Smith is about to go on sabbatical and Ranger's had a really good season after being in the wilderness for a few years - but it came to nothing as the asking price was too high.

Bizarrely the best summary of the situation is here:
www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/356047/r...ll-blacks-for-france

It's likely his continued selection is to encourage him to return home in June 2015 rather than extend his deal.

galway_gas wrote:

rossie wrote: 2 of the Aussie front row in this team. I don't see any super15 as I don't have sky so could someone explain this to me?!

Simply said Moore was best hooker of the 4 on display at the weekend. Good darts, great in loose. Best TH was between Alexander and Tameifuna. They picked Alexander.


All blacks putting together their training squad for upcoming Southern Hemisphere championship (17th August -October 5). Usually don't include non home-based players but ominously have included Montpelier bound Rene Ranger. No Chief players included until after super XV final. Only 3 second rows included so far. Sam Whitelock a definite IMO. Aly Williams has just retired from internationals and Martin Boric on way to Japan. Brodie Retallick likely to be added from Chiefs. Hopefully (for us) not Clarke as well.

I'd say what swung it Alexander's way was the fact they were playing against the Bulls in South Africa.

As for Clarke I hope the fact he turns 30 on Thursday is enough for the NZ management team to keep investing in the younger players. On the other hand it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him to come over with the added benefit of a few AB caps under his belt. Ulster get Pienaar back in time for the first HC round. Not saying that would be my preference but every cloud.

rossie wrote: 2 of the Aussie front row in this team. I don't see any super15 as I don't have sky so could someone explain this to me?!

Simply said Moore was best hooker of the 4 on display at the weekend. Good darts, great in loose. Best TH was between Alexander and Tameifuna. They picked Alexander.


All blacks putting together their training squad for upcoming Southern Hemisphere championship (17th August -October 5). Usually don't include non home-based players but ominously have included Montpelier bound Rene Ranger. No Chief players included until after super XV final. Only 3 second rows included so far. Sam Whitelock a definite IMO. Aly Williams has just retired from internationals and Martin Boric on way to Japan. Brodie Retallick likely to be added from Chiefs. Hopefully (for us) not Clarke as well.

2 of the Aussie front row in this team. I don't see any super15 as I don't have sky so could someone explain this to me?!

plant rugby, super xv team of the week

15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs)
13 JJ Engelbrecht (Bulls)
12 Christian Leali'ifano (Brumbies)
11 Henry Speight (Brumbies)
10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)
9 Nic White (Brumbies)
8 Kieran Read (Crusaders)
7 George Smith (Brumbies)
6 Liam Messam (Chiefs)
5 Scott Fardy (Brumbies)

4 Craig Clarke (Chiefs) - Connacht have arguably done the best bit of business in the PRO12 during the off-season, with the Chiefs co-captain leading by example once again as he covets back-to-back Super Rugby titles. His running game was on show against the Crusaders as he galloped through the visiting defence and with sixteen tackles also racked up, he was the first name down in our tight five.

3 Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders)

His break at the start of the second half today showed what a leader he is, I can't see him playing in any of the friendlies, Zebre at home would be a handy introduction to Rabo PRO12 rugby. the cowbell idea is great.

Would like to see White as Captain this year, the way he calmy but with directness talks to the referee is class.

connachta wrote:

galway_gas wrote: . Missed a few games mid-season with concussion.
Although Craig will be getting a late start to the Connacht season he has only started 9 games this year came on as sub once. He had a 7 week break in march/april as had headaches following concussion and a four week break during the international series in may/june.

So 11 games only with the final, do you think he could start for us like the 20th of september, missing only 3/4 matches?

I don't see why not - if not earlier. It'll be after christmas he'll be in need of a rest more than others. He arrives in August. Why come over straight away if he's not going to get stuck in?

connachta wrote: So 11 games only with the final, do you think he could start for us like the 20th of september, missing only 3/4 matches?

He'll start, first game and every game.

He had a three month plus break after Taranaki lost the ITM semi in mid-October, then another enforced break from Super rugby in the Spring.

Did you lads see his break in the lead up to the first Chiefs try? Sweet Jesus....

galway_gas wrote: . Missed a few games mid-season with concussion.
Although Craig will be getting a late start to the Connacht season he has only started 9 games this year came on as sub once. He had a 7 week break in march/april as had headaches following concussion and a four week break during the international series in may/june.

So 11 games only with the final, do you think he could start for us like the 20th of september, missing only 3/4 matches?

what a second half. when i see Clarke play, i find it hard to believe we signed him

salmson wrote:

galway_gas wrote: It would be nice to have a few dozen cowbells clanging a la Waikato Stadium for Clarkes first appearance. In fact it would give the sportsground a unique atmosphere in the longterm . This is the best source I can find. cowbell-central.com/ I wonder if Elverys could be persuaded to buy a couple of hundred?

With the added benefit of making ConnachtCows a very happy man indeed...

I'm sure he already has a nice collection

galway_gas wrote: It would be nice to have a few dozen cowbells clanging a la Waikato Stadium for Clarkes first appearance. In fact it would give the sportsground a unique atmosphere in the longterm . This is the best source I can find. cowbell-central.com/ I wonder if Elverys could be persuaded to buy a couple of hundred?

With the added benefit of making ConnachtCows a very happy man indeed...

It would be nice to have a few dozen cowbells clanging a la Waikato Stadium for Clarkes first appearance. In fact it would give the sportsground a unique atmosphere in the longterm . This is the best source I can find. cowbell-central.com/ I wonder if Elverys could be persuaded to buy a couple of hundred?

True but that was because Duffy was out injured, he wasn't being handed the captaincy with his locker key.

That's funny, seeing as White was a brand new signing who was quickly named captain last year!