Clarke leaves court on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Victor Waters
All Black Caleb Clarke has been granted a discharge without conviction for fleeing police on a motorbike at the Auckland District Court on Monday afternoon.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months until 21 June 2026.
Clarke was emotional as the sentenced was delivered, breaking down in tears.
Minutes earlier, Clarke had been named in the first All Blacks squad for the season.
The magistrate noted a conviction would significantly impact his rugby career and was satisfied the likelihood of re-offending was low warranting a discharge.
"You can breathe," she told Clarke.
A police prosecutor told the court Clarke ran a red light and was speeding up to 110 kilometres per hour on Great North Road, a 50kph residential area.
He referred to court documents which stated Clarke had been riding his Yamaha motorbike westbound on State Highway 16 in Western Springs about 12.20am on 3 December, when police clocked him breaking the 80kmh speed limit.
The document said police signalled for Clarke to stop, using lights and sirens, but he increased his speed to evade police and made no attempt to pull over.
Clarke exited the motorway on Great North Rd and "continued at speed" towards Blockhouse Bay.
Authorities noted in the document that Great North Rd is a residential area "flanked by numerous driveways and side streets".
They said his continuing to evade police required them to deploy the Eagle helicopter.
The prosecutor warned that a "role model" like Clark getting discharged without conviction could "send the wrong message to the public"
He said Clark had also already accumulated five demerit points.
"That should've been enough to modify your behaviour", said the court magistrate handing Clarke his sentence.
The magistrate acknowledged Clarke's supporters including his parents, siblings, and extended family in the courtroom.
"These people will be your Uber drivers for the next 12 months," she said.
Lawyer Rowan Butler said Clark panicked because he was on a learner's license and riding outside permitted hours.
He said once he "came to his senses" he cooperated with police.
"In his own words, it is the stupidest thing he has ever done."
He said Clarke had no previous convictions and was "someone of good character who made an uncharacteristic mistake".
"His teammates and coaches were shocked to hear of this out-of-character conduct."
Butler said Clark had fronted up to his mistake, never seeking name suppression and apologising to local school groups and through the media.
"This is not someone who is seeking special treatment," Butler said.
He said he had already faced significant consequences including a heightened degree of public scrutiny, repetitional damage, and the loss of two sponsorship deals.
He said Clark had started a defensive driving course in February but had not completed this due to the recent Super Rugby season.
This month Clark re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for two more years taking him up to the 2027 World Cup.
Butler said alcohol or drugs were not involved in Clark's offending and there was "no evidence of other motorist being put at risk by his driving".
The court magistrate said she considered Clarke's early guilty plea, remorse for his actions, and his enrolling in a defensive driving course in her decision.
She also recognised his age of 25 at the time of offending meant he was more likely to make impulsive decisions.
But she said he undoubtedly put the community at risk and while no one was harmed, the outcome could have been different.
'I'm deeply sorry and embarrassed'
Speaking to the media after the decision, he said he was grateful for the court's decision and accepted the consequences.
"I pride myself on being a role model as a representative of The Blues and New Zealand Rugby.
"I recognise that I'm in a privileged position as a rugby player. But that comes with responsibilities that I didn't uphold and I failed.
"I haven't upheld the standards I set for myself.
"I've learnt from my mistakes and I'm committed to set a better example through my actions."
He said his motorbiking days were behind him and he no longer had the motorbike he was riding the night of the incident.
He apologised to everyone he "let down" and to the police for taking up their time and resources.
"I made some poor decisions including riding too fast and endangering the safety of myself and others and for that, I'm deeply sorry and embarrassed."
Clarke was expected to face an internal disciplinary process by the New Zealand Rugby Board.
Clarke's father, former All Blacks midfielder Eroni Clarke, told media outside the courtroom he was there to support his son.
"He understands the he is seen as a role model and he is remorseful of the decision he made that night," he said.
"It was a good outcome today and as a family we are appreciative of that."
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