Craig Clare
Encyclopedia
Craig Clare is a professional rugby union
player who plays at fullback for Manawatu
in the ITM Cup. He previously played for the Highlanders
in the Super Rugby competition, before a seriously broken leg stalled his career and caused a long injury layoff.
in 2003, and spent two seasons for the province before transferring to Otago in 2005 in the hopes of earning a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders
.
After a strong 2006 Air New Zealand Cup
, Clare was included in the Highlanders squad for the 2007 Super 14 season
. Aged only 22, his Super Rugby career was off to a highly promising start as he started 4 of the team's first 5 games of the season. However, his career came to a crashing halt on 2 March in a game against the Blues when he suffered a compound fracture to his leg. Clare's leg injury forced a two-year layoff from the sport, and he didn't play again until 2009.
After a stint in Italy, Clare returned to New Zealand in 2010 as he signed with his home province Manawatu
. He proceeded to start all 13 games of the 2010 ITM Cup
for the Turbos, primarily at his preferred position of fullback.
. He enjoyed a solid season in Italy, but fell victim to import restrictions when the club joined the Magners League as Aironi
.
Clare spent the 2010–11 European season with Spanish side Bera Bera RT
before returning to Manawatu for the 2011 provincial campaign in New Zealand.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who plays at fullback for Manawatu
Manawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
in the ITM Cup. He previously played for the Highlanders
Highlanders (Super rugby franchise)
The Highlanders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The franchise represents the North Otago, Otago and Southland provincial Rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago, North...
in the Super Rugby competition, before a seriously broken leg stalled his career and caused a long injury layoff.
New Zealand
Clare made his debut for ManawatuManawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
in 2003, and spent two seasons for the province before transferring to Otago in 2005 in the hopes of earning a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders
Highlanders (Super rugby franchise)
The Highlanders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The franchise represents the North Otago, Otago and Southland provincial Rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago, North...
.
After a strong 2006 Air New Zealand Cup
2006 Air New Zealand Cup
The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Friday 28 July 2006, and the Grand Final was won by Waikato on 21 October 2006....
, Clare was included in the Highlanders squad for the 2007 Super 14 season
2007 Super 14 season
The 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at ABSA Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rugby...
. Aged only 22, his Super Rugby career was off to a highly promising start as he started 4 of the team's first 5 games of the season. However, his career came to a crashing halt on 2 March in a game against the Blues when he suffered a compound fracture to his leg. Clare's leg injury forced a two-year layoff from the sport, and he didn't play again until 2009.
After a stint in Italy, Clare returned to New Zealand in 2010 as he signed with his home province Manawatu
Manawatu Rugby Union
Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...
. He proceeded to start all 13 games of the 2010 ITM Cup
2010 ITM Cup
The 2010 ITM Cup was the 34th provincial rugby union competition, the fifth since the competition reconstruction in 2006 and the first under the new sponsor of ITM , involving the top 14 provincial unions of New Zealand...
for the Turbos, primarily at his preferred position of fullback.
Europe
After a long injury layoff, Clare returned to high level rugby in 2009, signing with Rugby Viadana of the Italian Super 10Super 10 (Italian premiership)
The withdrawal of Viadana and Benetton Treviso from the league has been compounded by club mergers. Rugby Viadana, Gran Parma and Colorno have merged to form GranDucato Rugby. Overmach Parma and Noceto have merged to form Crociati, both new clubs to be based in Parma. These changes created 2...
. He enjoyed a solid season in Italy, but fell victim to import restrictions when the club joined the Magners League as Aironi
Aironi
Aironi Rugby are an Italian professional rugby club competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. They represent the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.- Home ground :...
.
Clare spent the 2010–11 European season with Spanish side Bera Bera RT
Bera Bera RT
Bera Bera Rugby Taldea is a Spanish rugby union club. The club was established in 1983 and currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Donostia-San Sebastian. Bera Bera play in blue and orange.-Squad 2009-2010:1...
before returning to Manawatu for the 2011 provincial campaign in New Zealand.