New Zealand rugby player Caleb Clarke charged with dangerous driving, eluding police

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke said he was “apologetic and extremely embarrassed” after being charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Clarke’s case was called in the Auckland District Court on Monday but he was excused from appearing. He will be sentenced in June.

His lawyer Rowan Butler asked community magistrate Kaye Davies that a plea not be entered to allow Clarke to seek discharge without conviction.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his Auckland-based Super Rugby club, the Blues, Clarke said: “Last year I made an error of judgement while riding my motorbike in Auckland. I’m extremely apologetic and embarrassed.”

The Blues later clarified that Clarke had not pleaded guilty to the charges.

“He will now go through both that court process and, once it is complete, an internal employment procedure,” the club statement said.

Clarke has played 29 tests for New Zealand since 2020.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby