“Rising Rugby Stars: Che Clark and Leroy Carter Make Waves in Super Rugby”
Recently, Clark came off the bench for Auckland in their 36-32 victory over North Harbour at Eden Park. This weekend, he has been elevated to the starting lineup, taking the blindside flanker position.
Other players from Auckland’s First XV set to face Northland at Semenoff Stadium include former All Black Angus Ta’avao, current All Black Patrick Tuipulotu, backrower Anton Segner, and captain Harry Plummer.
As noted earlier, Leroy Carter is another All Blacks Sevens star transitioning to 15-a-side rugby. Carter has signed a two-year contract with last season’s runners-up, the Chiefs. His signing is a significant boost for the team, as Carter has established himself as one of the top sevens players globally.
“It’s tough to leave a team like the All Blacks Sevens,” Carter said in a statement.
“I’m really grateful for everything they’ve done for me, but I’m excited for the future ahead.
The Chiefs have been a team I’ve wanted to play for since I was a kid, so this is an exciting time. I can’t wait to get involved and start working.”
Three weeks after Leroy Carter’s move to the Chiefs was announced, another All Blacks Sevens player has transitioned to Super Rugby Pacific. Following their 2024 title win, the Blues have bolstered their roster by signing Che Clark for the upcoming season.
This marks the Blues’ second major signing in a short span, having also secured Payton Spencer, son of All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer, for the 2025 season. With former World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett also returning, the squad looks promising.
Clark is a talented young rugby player with extensive international experience. The 21-year-old rose to prominence as a standout at King’s College before advancing his career in the national sevens program.
After playing a key role in helping New Zealand win bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Clark continued to shine in the SVNS Series, most recently playing at this year’s Hong Kong Sevens.
At the famed Hong Kong Stadium, the All Blacks Sevens claimed victory in the Cup Final before a large crowd, including actors Oliver and James Phelps, known for their roles as the Weasley twins in the Harry Potter films.
Clark came off the bench in New Zealand’s thrilling 10-7 win over France.
However, when the New Zealand men’s sevens team for the Paris Olympics was named, Clark was not selected for the playing squad but was chosen as a non-travelling reserve alongside players like Cody Vai.