Born: c.1921
Died: Deceased
Test record: 11 Tests (1946-49) – 1 try, 34 goals (71 points)
Tours: 1947-48 tour of Britain and France, 1948 tour of Australia

Auckland fullback Warwick Clarke was a goalkicking star and Kiwis mainstay of immediate post-World War II period, playing 11 consecutive Tests and making two overseas tours with the national side.

A prolific scorer for the City club, Clarke represented Auckland twice against the 1946 Great Britain tourists either side of a memorable New Zealand debut, kicking five goals in a 13-8 upset in the one-off Test at Carlaw Park.

Clarke was the top scorer on the Kiwis’ 1947-48 tour of Britain and France with 138 points from 25 games. He played all six Tests on tour, kicking seven goals across the 2-1 series loss to Great Britain and landing five in the one-off win over Wales.

The ever-reliable custodian was equally influential on the 1948 tour of Australia, slotting 21 goals in six games. He lifted New Zealand to a 21-19 first-Test win at the SCG with six goals, while he kicked his side’s only points in a 13-4 loss at The Gabba in the second Test. Clarke’s four goals also proved the difference in an 11-10 eclipse of a strong Queensland side.

Clarke rounded off his Kiwis tenure in fine style, scoring a try and kicking four goals in a 26-21 series-opening win over Australia at the Basin Reserve in 1949. He contributed two goals in his last Test, a 13-10 loss in the second clash at Carlaw Park. The stalwart also landed six goals in Auckland’s 36-18 defeat to Australia on that tour.

Clarke’s tally of 71 Test points was a New Zealand record, while his 200 points in 33 games for the Kiwis was second only to Craddock Dufty. He was the first in an impressive run of resolute last-liners and brilliant goalkickers from Auckland, with 1950s legend Des White and 1960s mainstay Jack Fagan following in his footsteps.