Latest news with #Auckland-born
The Advertiser
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Utoikamanu moves to make Origin mark after 2023 tease
Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne. The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again. The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena. "I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said. "I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact. "If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there. "I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do." Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since. But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey. It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year. Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018. Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy. "Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said. "It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers. "I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move. "There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about). "Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player." Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne. The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again. The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena. "I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said. "I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact. "If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there. "I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do." Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since. But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey. It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year. Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018. Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy. "Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said. "It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers. "I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move. "There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about). "Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player." Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne. The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again. The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena. "I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said. "I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact. "If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there. "I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do." Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since. But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey. It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year. Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018. Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy. "Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said. "It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers. "I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move. "There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about). "Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Caleb Clarke Re-Signs Through 2027
Press Release – Blues Rugby Dynamic winger Caleb Clarke has re-signed with the Blues, and New Zealand Rugby (NZR), through to the end of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. A fan favourite since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Clarke has become a key figure in the Blues backline with his explosive pace, powerful running and infectious energy both on and off the field. Since making his Super Rugby debut in 2018, the Auckland-born winger has grown into one of the game's most exciting talents. For Clarke, the decision to stay was driven by a deep connection to the club and its people. 'The Blues is home for me. I've grown up here, developed here, and achieved some amazing things with this team. I'm proud to represent our region and am excited about what's ahead,' Clarke said. 'We've got an exciting group of guys, awesome fans, and I'm looking forward to continue running out in blue.' Blues GM of Rugby Murray Williams welcomed the news of Clarke's recommitment. 'We're stoked to have Caleb locked in through 2027. He's been a big part of our journey over the last few years and continues to develop as a world class player,' he said. 'His energy is contagious, he's passionate about the Blues jersey, and he will be a huge part of our success moving forward.' NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum added: 'Coming off the back of a strong 2024 season for both the Blues and All Blacks we are looking forward to Caleb's continued growth over the next two years in New Zealand.'
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Utoikamanu moves to make Origin mark after 2023 tease
Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne. The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again. The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena. "I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said. "I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact. "If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there. "I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do." Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since. But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey. It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year. Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018. Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy. "Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said. "It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers. "I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move. "There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about). "Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Utoikamanu moves to make Origin mark after 2023 tease
Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne. The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again. The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023. It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena. "I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said. "I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact. "If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there. "I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do." Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since. But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey. It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year. Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018. Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy. "Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said. "It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers. "I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move. "There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about). "Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Caleb Clarke Re-Signs Through 2027
Dynamic winger Caleb Clarke has re-signed with the Blues, and New Zealand Rugby (NZR), through to the end of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. A fan favourite since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Clarke has become a key figure in the Blues backline with his explosive pace, powerful running and infectious energy both on and off the field. Since making his Super Rugby debut in 2018, the Auckland-born winger has grown into one of the game's most exciting talents. For Clarke, the decision to stay was driven by a deep connection to the club and its people. 'The Blues is home for me. I've grown up here, developed here, and achieved some amazing things with this team. I'm proud to represent our region and am excited about what's ahead,' Clarke said. 'We've got an exciting group of guys, awesome fans, and I'm looking forward to continue running out in blue.' Blues GM of Rugby Murray Williams welcomed the news of Clarke's recommitment. 'We're stoked to have Caleb locked in through 2027. He's been a big part of our journey over the last few years and continues to develop as a world class player,' he said. 'His energy is contagious, he's passionate about the Blues jersey, and he will be a huge part of our success moving forward.' NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum added: 'Coming off the back of a strong 2024 season for both the Blues and All Blacks we are looking forward to Caleb's continued growth over the next two years in New Zealand.'
