Clarke To Have Operation, Misses Shield Game

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30543, 11 September 1964, Page 13

Clarke To Have Operation, Misses Shield Game

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, September 10. Waikato’s Ranfurly Shield Rugby prospects against Taranaki at New Plymouth on Saturday have been jolted by the withdrawal of the All Black full-back, D. B. Clarke, who is unfit to play.

Clarke said today he will have an operation in the near future to remove two fragments of bone from his injured knee. He does not look upon the operation as serious and he is confident of playing again next season. This is the knee which caused him to leave the field during the first half of Waikato’s match against Manawatu last month and caused him to miss the first test against Australia. He was unable to play for

Waikato against Counties at Hamilton last Saturday. In a telephone interview tonight Clarke said he expected his injured leg to be “perfect in two or three months.” The doctors had told him there would be “no lasting effect whatsoever” from the injury. He plans an intensive physical build-up when the leg has made a full recovery. This will include two or three nights a week of roadwork through the summer, and some cricket Clarke, who has been Waikato’s captain this season, said the team would give a good account of itself. “Waikato has a habit of lifting itself for the big occasion,” said Clarke. “It is that ability which encourages me to think in terms of a Waikato victory.” After its recent games, coupled with the withdrawal of Clarke, Waikato will be the underdog. But it would be unwise to underestimate the ability of Clarke’s replacement, the young Putaruru full-back, D. Flavell. He has had several matches to prepare him for this assignment and he should not be worried by the shield atmosphere. There is plenty of power in his boot and his positional play leaves little to be desired. As a young full-back, Clarke played a leading part in Waikato’s shield win at Whangarei in 1951; another young full-back, Flavell, could be equally effective on Saturday.