Erin
Clark
A Toa Samoa international as a teenager before making his NRL debut with the Warriors, hooker-turned-middle forward Erin Clark received Kiwis squad call-ups for a 2022 mid-season Test and the 2024 Pacific Championships from the Gold Coast Titans.
The Manurewa Marlins and Point Chevalier Pirates junior was a New Zealand Residents and NZ Secondary Schools rep in 2014, before becoming an NYC mainstay for the defending champion Warriors in 2015.
The son of Silver Ferns legend Temapara Bailey (formerly Clark, née George), a 19-year-old Clark came off the bench for Samoa in 2016 Tests against Tonga and Fiji. A sole interchange appearance in the NRL for the Warriors followed in 2017, as did a Junior Kiwis jumper, but his career stalled with a short-lived midyear switch to Canberra.
Reigniting his NRL dream with a train-and-trial deal on the Gold Coast, Clark became a regular for the Titans as a starting hooker or interchange player in 2020 and featured in their surprise charge to the finals in 2021.
The 24-year-old represented Māori All Stars in early-2022 and was included in the Kiwis' wider squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga but was not required for the matchday 17 and was an unlucky omission for the World Cup at the end of the year.
Transitioning into a prop/lock role in 2023, Clark played every game in 2024 to take his Titans first-grade tally to 94 appearances. Soon after being unveiled as a 2025 signing for the Warriors on a three-year deal, the nuggetty powerhouse was named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad where a Test debut beckoned.
Named as 18th man for the clashes with Australia and Tonga, Clark was elevated to the interchange bench for the promotion/relegation match against Papua New Guinea in a late change and made 124 metres, five tackle-breaks and 17 tackles in an eye-catching maiden Test outing.
In 2025 Clark enjoyed a breakout season in his maiden year with the Warriors, cementing himself as one of the NRL's best middle forwards. The 28-year-old brought up his 100th career appearance early in the season and played in all of the club’s 25 matches, averaging 147 run metres and 34 tackles a game. He was named as the RLPA's player-selected Dream Team lock as well as the Dally M Lock of the Year.
It was no surprise when Clark was named in the Kiwis squad for a second campaign, bolstering the forward pack as an interchange lock/prop in all three Tests. His arguably best performance came in the final against Toa Samoa where he crossed for a try, produced a try assist, made 1 line break and 2 line break assists, all on top of 12 runs for 106 metres.
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Erin
Clark
A Toa Samoa international as a teenager before making his NRL debut with the Warriors, hooker-turned-middle forward Erin Clark received Kiwis squad call-ups for a 2022 mid-season Test and the 2024 Pacific Championships from the Gold Coast Titans.
The Manurewa Marlins and Point Chevalier Pirates junior was a New Zealand Residents and NZ Secondary Schools rep in 2014, before becoming an NYC mainstay for the defending champion Warriors in 2015.
The son of Silver Ferns legend Temapara Bailey (formerly Clark, née George), a 19-year-old Clark came off the bench for Samoa in 2016 Tests against Tonga and Fiji. A sole interchange appearance in the NRL for the Warriors followed in 2017, as did a Junior Kiwis jumper, but his career stalled with a short-lived midyear switch to Canberra.
Reigniting his NRL dream with a train-and-trial deal on the Gold Coast, Clark became a regular for the Titans as a starting hooker or interchange player in 2020 and featured in their surprise charge to the finals in 2021.
The 24-year-old represented Māori All Stars in early-2022 and was included in the Kiwis' wider squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga but was not required for the matchday 17 and was an unlucky omission for the World Cup at the end of the year.
Transitioning into a prop/lock role in 2023, Clark played every game in 2024 to take his Titans first-grade tally to 94 appearances. Soon after being unveiled as a 2025 signing for the Warriors on a three-year deal, the nuggetty powerhouse was named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad where a Test debut beckoned.
Named as 18th man for the clashes with Australia and Tonga, Clark was elevated to the interchange bench for the promotion/relegation match against Papua New Guinea in a late change and made 124 metres, five tackle-breaks and 17 tackles in an eye-catching maiden Test outing.
In 2025 Clark enjoyed a breakout season in his maiden year with the Warriors, cementing himself as one of the NRL's best middle forwards. The 28-year-old brought up his 100th career appearance early in the season and played in all of the club’s 25 matches, averaging 147 run metres and 34 tackles a game. He was named as the RLPA's player-selected Dream Team lock as well as the Dally M Lock of the Year.
It was no surprise when Clark was named in the Kiwis squad for a second campaign, bolstering the forward pack as an interchange lock/prop in all three Tests. His arguably best performance came in the final against Toa Samoa where he crossed for a try, produced a try assist, made 1 line break and 2 line break assists, all on top of 12 runs for 106 metres.
PROFILE
Height M
180
WEIGHT KG
98
DOB
Sep 6, 1997
HIGHLIGHTS
Test matches
4
Test points
4
GOLD COAST TITANS (2020-24) NZ WARRIORS (2025)
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Kiwis claim Pacific Cup glory in Foran’s farewell
The New Zealand Kiwis have crowned their Pacific Championships campaign with a 36–14 victory over Toa Samoa at CommBank Stadium, delivering the perfect send-off for veteran playmaker Kieran Foran in his final Test match.
Trailing 14–6 at halftime, the Kiwis stormed home with 30 unanswered points in a dominant second half. Foran was instrumental in the comeback, combining brilliantly with Dylan Brown, who produced a standout performance featuring three try assists, 10 tackle breaks and 181 running metres.
Isaiah Papali’i crossed for two tries, while Casey McLean, Erin Clark, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also found the line. Clark’s powerful run early in the second half shifted momentum, before Papali’i’s second try in the 76th minute sealed the result.
Fullback Keano Kini continued his breakout tournament with 125 metres, six tackle breaks and four offloads, while Naufahu Whyte made a huge impact off the bench with 194 metres and seven tackle breaks.
The win secures New Zealand’s second Pacific Cup title in three seasons and confirms their status as a leading contender ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Head coach Stacey Jones praised his side’s resilience and composure under pressure, noting the leadership of Foran and the team’s ability to respond after a tough first half.
It was a night of pride and celebration for New Zealand Rugby League, closing out the Pacific Championships with silverware and a fitting farewell for one of the Kiwis’ most respected players.
Broughton, Clark, Foran & Isaako take home 2025 Dally M awards
By the end of the evening, Erin Clark and Gayle Broughton were named in the Team of the Year, recognising their standout NRL and NRLW seasons respectively. Broughton’s accolade comes just days before she takes the field in this weekend’s NRLW Grand Final.
Kiwis NRL Dally M Award Winners Lock of the Year – Erin Clark Ken Stephen Medal – Kieran Foran Highest Point Scorer – Jamayne Isaako Kiwi Ferns NRLW Dally M Award Winner Five-Eighth of the Year – Gayle Broughton
Clark Second Debutant For Kiwis Against Kumuls
Biography
Last updated:
December 3, 2025
A Toa Samoa international as a teenager before making his NRL debut with the Warriors, hooker-turned-middle forward Erin Clark received Kiwis squad call-ups for a 2022 mid-season Test and the 2024 Pacific Championships from the Gold Coast Titans.
The Manurewa Marlins and Point Chevalier Pirates junior was a New Zealand Residents and NZ Secondary Schools rep in 2014, before becoming an NYC mainstay for the defending champion Warriors in 2015.
The son of Silver Ferns legend Temapara Bailey (formerly Clark, née George), a 19-year-old Clark came off the bench for Samoa in 2016 Tests against Tonga and Fiji. A sole interchange appearance in the NRL for the Warriors followed in 2017, as did a Junior Kiwis jumper, but his career stalled with a short-lived midyear switch to Canberra.
Reigniting his NRL dream with a train-and-trial deal on the Gold Coast, Clark became a regular for the Titans as a starting hooker or interchange player in 2020 and featured in their surprise charge to the finals in 2021.
The 24-year-old represented Māori All Stars in early-2022 and was included in the Kiwis' wider squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga but was not required for the matchday 17 and was an unlucky omission for the World Cup at the end of the year.
Transitioning into a prop/lock role in 2023, Clark played every game in 2024 to take his Titans first-grade tally to 94 appearances. Soon after being unveiled as a 2025 signing for the Warriors on a three-year deal, the nuggetty powerhouse was named in the Kiwis' Pacific Championships squad where a Test debut beckoned.
Named as 18th man for the clashes with Australia and Tonga, Clark was elevated to the interchange bench for the promotion/relegation match against Papua New Guinea in a late change and made 124 metres, five tackle-breaks and 17 tackles in an eye-catching maiden Test outing.
In 2025 Clark enjoyed a breakout season in his maiden year with the Warriors, cementing himself as one of the NRL's best middle forwards. The 28-year-old brought up his 100th career appearance early in the season and played in all of the club’s 25 matches, averaging 147 run metres and 34 tackles a game. He was named as the RLPA's player-selected Dream Team lock as well as the Dally M Lock of the Year.
It was no surprise when Clark was named in the Kiwis squad for a second campaign, bolstering the forward pack as an interchange lock/prop in all three Tests. His arguably best performance came in the final against Toa Samoa where he crossed for a try, produced a try assist, made 1 line break and 2 line break assists, all on top of 12 runs for 106 metres.
fixtures & results
