Sam Clarke steps up at first five-eighth as Jacomb's All Blacks call-up reshapes Taranaki

Sam Clarke is directing Taranaki’s backline at first five-eighth in the 2026 NPC after Josh Jacomb’s surprise call-up to the All Blacks squad for their tour of South Africa handed the All Blacks Sevens star an unexpected opportunity in the fifteen-man game.

“It’s my first time running a backline in a professional team. It’s been an awesome experience,” Clarke told RugbyPass. “It’s taken me a few weeks to find my feet, become more familiar with the system, and grow the confidence to back myself.”

Clarke acknowledged the gap in experience between himself and Jacomb but drew parallels in their playing styles. “Josh and I are similar in that we both like to have a crack. The biggest difference is he is more experienced. He is faster at coming up with the right solution when needed, but I’m figuring that out.”

Clarke is one of several All Blacks Sevens players making their mark in this season’s NPC. Brothers Rob and Brady Rush helped Northland win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1979, while Sione Molia and Riley Williams traded tries in a Counties versus Wellington clash. Kele Lasaqa features regularly for Bay of Plenty, and Scott Gregory and Fletcher Morgan both occupy spots in the Southland backline.

“It’s cool to see many of the Sevens boys doing well in NPC. We have a group chat where we discuss the competition. There is plenty of banter,” Clarke said.

He also reflected on the physical and tactical differences between the two formats. “The biggest difference between sevens and fifteens is the length of the game. I haven’t noticed much difference in physicality. In sevens, you train 45 minutes max to prepare for a 14-minute game. In fifteens, you can train more than two hours and cover much more ground.”

Clarke’s journey to professional rugby has been far from straightforward. He suffered two broken ankles, a broken jaw, and numerous hamstring injuries during his time with Manawatu. In 2023, he won the Billy Wallace Best & Fairest Award as the top player in Wellington club rugby — the first winner from the Paremata-Plimmerton club since the award was established in 1966 — and in 2025 he helped the club win the National Club Sevens.

His selection for the All Blacks Sevens in December 2025 carried historic significance: Clarke became the first rugby player from the Chatham Islands to wear an All Blacks-labelled jersey since Robert Mathieson featured on the All Blacks’ Australian tour in 1922.

“It was really special to represent New Zealand and finally position myself as an athlete who could train fulltime, really focus on my goals rather than have to work around work,” Clarke said.

Looking back on the Sevens season, Clarke was candid about where the team fell short. “It was a tough season. Fourth in the league is not where we aimed to finish, but in every tournament now there are no clear favourites. It is very even. I feel we’re definitely improving. We were second in the Grand Final series and just lost to France in Broudex.”

Clarke also has history in the fifteen-man game at schoolboy level, having played ten for St. Patrick’s College Silverstream’s First XV in 2018, a side that won the Wellington premiership with 16 victories from 18 games — with All Black Peter Lakai among his teammates.