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From discarded Stag to Super 14 prospect in a matter of a week – it's an unlikely story.
For Adam Clarke, however, it's reality.
The young halfback was thrown a rugby lifeline last week and he now finds himself in the running to play for Australian team Western Force during next year's Super 14.
After being released from his contract with Rugby Southland Clarke took it on himself to hunt out other rugby opportunities.
Thanks to a bit of good fortune and a willingness to push his own profile, Clarke is approaching this biggest challenge of his short career after 15 games for Southland.
Clarke sent his rugby CV to the Cottesloe club in Perth where it was seen by a club member, who luckily enough for Clarke, was also part of the Western Force Rugby Academy.
His CV was then forwarded to Force head coach John Mitchell and last week the former All Black coach called Clarke about the possibility of a Super 14 contract.
"I thought it was a joke. He asked me when I could get over there and I said maybe at the end of the month and he said `what about next week?'." Clarke has an Australian grandfather, which meant Force was able to sign the Southlander under Australian rugby regulations because he qualifies as an Australian.
While Rugby Southland opted to release Clarke from his Stags contract this year it was Southland co-coach Simon Culhane who ultimately cemented his call-up to the Force.
"When Nibs (Culhane) told me I was going to be released he said to me that I could put him down as a referee and I said to him I'd hold him to that, and I did," Clarke said.
"Mitchell got hold of Nibs and he put in a few good words for me and it went from there." Mitchell could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Clarke will fly out to Perth on Tuesday where he has been told he would go straight into training with the Force preparing for next year's Super 14.
The Perth-based franchise also has Australian halfback Matt Henjack on its playing roster.
All going to plan, after the Super 14 Clarke will lineup for the Perth Spirit in the Australian provincial competition.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4275896a6568.html