ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
HOT STEPPER
Christchurch’s mixed Division 3 touch scene has a new star, at least in his own mind. Kade Clarke, 29, describes his side steps as “Shaun Johnson-level footwork,” though spectators might politely call it “mostly sideways running.”
Clarke, a once promising rugby player whose professional career never quite got off the ground, says he’s making up for lost glory on the touch field.
“I figured if I can’t make it in the big leagues, why not bring a bit of flair to social touch?” he said after a recent game, wearing his cap backwards as per usual.
Teammates were less impressed. “Kade’s got confidence, I’ll give him that,” said fellow Division 3 player Jess McAllister. “He’s stepping like Shaun Johnson in his head anyway. Most of the time he’s just running sideways, but at least he looks good doing it.”
Clarke’s other teammate, Mark Ropati, added: “He’s committed. He’s not scoring much, but he’s putting in the effort, albeit if it looks like he’s going to break his own ankle while doing it.
Despite the sideways sprints, Kade remains undeterred. “I’m just out here having fun, it’s social after all right? Who cares about go forward ball. What this league really needs is more flair and creativity”.
More to come.
