Alan Clarke biography

Newton Rangers and Marist stalwart Alan Clarke locked the scrum in one Test for New Zealand against the 1932 British tourists.Clarke came through Newton's ranks in the early-1920s to regularly earn Auckland and North Island selection. He represented his province against Great Britain in 1928 and 1932, the latter after a contentious switch to the Marist club in 1929.A handy goalkicker who could find the try-line, Clarke's belated call-up to the New Zealand side came ahead of the third Test against Great Britain in 1932, replacing Jim Amos at loose foward. The hosts went down 20-18 at Carlaw Park in their best performance of the series.Clarke hung up the boots in 1934, making his last appearance for Marist against visiting NSWRL premiers Western Suburbs.