New Zealand has found a replacement for the late great rugby winger Johah Lomu and he is All Black winger Caleb Clarke who says he and his team have the potential to win the gold medal at Sevens at the Tokyo Olympic Games, according to agency reports.
Clarke is the only fully-fledged All Black to the Olympics and at 22 years formed part of New Zealand’s World Series-winning team last year.
Later in 2020, Clarke earned his first cap for the All Blacks, evoking memories of the late Lomu as he used his 1.89 metre, 107 kilogramme (6ft 2in, 236lb) frame to steamroller opponents according to international news reports.
Clarke said he was relishing a return to the Sevens environment.
“Going to the Olympics would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I’m looking forward to get back into training and putting my best foot forward,” he was quoted as saying.
Lomu’s career also began in Sevens and he then joined the All Blacks to become rugby’s first global superstar before his untimely death in 2015 from complications brought on by a long-term kidney disorder.
Clarke’s father, Eroni, is a former All Black who played alongside Lomu and the rookie winger, who is still only five Tests into his All Black career, has said he is humbled to be compared to his childhood hero.
“I feel like I have a big responsibility to do the jersey justice,” he told Stuff last year. (agencies)