All Blacks star admits backline couldn't defuse Bok bombs

In late 2024, World Rugby outlawed the use of escorts, where a catcher would be protected by his backtracking teammates when the ball was kicked in the air.

Now, teams must explicitly allow access for chasing players and cannot impede or obstruct the opposition, which has created a fairer contest for the ball.

The Springboks have revelled in the law change and got purchase from sticking the ball high in the air during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test series against the All Blacks, as Rassie Erasmus' charges were able to regularly regain possession from their kicks.

Meanwhile, New Zealand have struggled under the high ball since the law tweak and that hasn't changed under new head coach Dave Rennie despite the All Blacks trying different tactics. One ploy that they have deployed has seen wingers running backwards and attempting to catch the ball over their shoulders instead of running straight onto the ball, which had some success in July but wasn't as effective against South Africa.

They weren't helped by the fact that Clarke missed the Test series against the Springboks after sustaining an injury in the tour match against the Sharks in Durban with the Blues speedster renowned as one of the All Blacks' best under the high ball.

Appearing on Sky Sport NZ's Breakdown Show, Clarke discussed the All Blacks' struggles under the high ball and paid credit to the Springboks' brilliance in that facet of the game.

"It's a tough one, honestly, and with these new rules, it has been tough for us to adjust, especially when it comes to that one-on-one competition in the air," he explained.

"It's literally what we have been talking about all the time around catching it cleanly. For me, it's a part of the game that I enjoy, especially chasing after it because I have a free jump for the ball, and it's a one-on-one match-up with someone else.

"We have tried different things. We have tried hitting back and trying to catch it on the on the run, trying to come forward and catching it as well. But credit to the Boks, who just really put pressure on the catcher and everyone else who were picking up those scraps."

Earlier this year, Clarke trained with the Sydney Swans, an Aussie Rules club, in a bid to upskill himself and improve his ability under the high ball.

He explained that while his time with the AFL club may have helped improve his game, not all of the techniques were transferable to rugby union.

"I remember when I went over with the Swans, they were all wondering why I kept catching like this [bread basket], and they're like, 'Why aren't you putting your hands up?' And I had to explain to them that if I put my hands up and I drop it forward, the ball goes to the other team, and that's sort of the different stuff," he said.

"But the fundamentals of jumping and timing your jump, catching at the max height of your jump, is what they were really trying to teach me and what I try to bring back to rugby. We were practicing it in the ABs environment, but again, it's just coming down to that day and how well you execute."

Furthermore, he said that the All Blacks are addressing their shortcomings under the high ball in training.

"It's touch and go. We do go live scenarios against each other, but at the same time, we want to protect each other," he said.

"We are competing for these spots, and also we want to make sure the boys that get out there on the night are making sure they're in good health as well.

"We use different techniques if we can't go live against each other, but we're putting in the work, and that's sort of the disappointing part is when it comes down to the day, it just doesn't stick. But people have just got to know that we are putting in that work."

Clarke also praised the Springboks following their RGR series success, stating that they are well ahead of the rest of the world and have benefitted by having largely the same squad over the last seven years.

"South Africa have been a team together since 2019. It's fundamentally the same squad," the injured winger said.

"They just have that DNA of winning, and for us to head over there after what two/three months with a new coaching crew. It was a big challenge that all of us were looking forward to heading over and doing, but again, it's just their special players like Jesse Kriel and Siya Kolisi.

"The depth that they have in each position again just shows they're well ahead of the rest of the world."

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