Greatest “One-Man Force”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30710, 27 March 1965, Page 13

Greatest “OneMan Force”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, March 26.

Widespread regret over the retirement of Clarke was expressed by Rugby officials in Sydney today.

The chairman of the Australian union, Mr Charles Blunt, said Clarke’s retirement from the game would be a great loss.

Mr Blunt described Clarke as the greatest “one-man force” in modern Rugby. “He dominated the game of Rugby to the same extent that Sir Donald Bradman dominated cricket,” he said. Several Sydney radio stations made the story of Clarke’s retirement, because of a knee injury, their highlight story in mid-day news session. “N.Z. Test Blow” The Sydney “Sun” carried the bold heading “Don of Union Retires.” The “Sun” story said Clarke’s retirement was seen as a blow to New Zealand’s chances of beating the South Africans in this year's test series.

“Clarke became a football legend in a career which took him to all the ,major Rugbyplaying countries in the world,” said the “Sun.” “Rugby won’t seem the same without him,” said the former AU Black captain, W. J. Whineray, in Auckland today. “He has been a captain’s dream on tour and in New Zealand,” Whineray said. “He was a dedicated trainer and a dedicated player—both essential to the on-field and off-field success of a team. “He was a very popular player who reached heights of fame that no other player has reached in my experience. “Yet, in spite of the adula-

tion showered on him, he was always ready to talk to children, sign autographs and visit homes for handicapped people, which shows a very fine personality. “As one who’s often had to rely very greatly on Don to get points for us, I’ll never forget all that he has done for New Zealand Rugby.” Clarke’s decision to retire from active Rugby would be regretted by all, the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby council, Mr T. C. Morrison, said in Wellington today. “His responsible attitude to the possibility of his knee failing him during the course of important games can only be commended,” Mr Morrison said.

“Don has built for himself a place in our Rugby game that will endure, and the countless thousands who have seen him play will retain vivid memories of his fine displays as a full-back and particularly of his prodigious place, drop and punt kicking.”

Hong Kong Coif.— Aslans are likely to dominate the Hong Kong open golf championship, beginning tomorrow, in spite of competition from an interna-

tional field which includes professionals from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Britain. Yung-yo (Formoso) will start favourite. He won the Thai open last week, and won the Hong Kong open in 1963 and 1964.