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Quiz about Don Clarke All Black Legend
Quiz about Don Clarke All Black Legend

Don Clarke: All Black Legend Trivia Quiz


Don Clarke was New Zealand's outstanding fullback of the late 1950's and early 1960's. He passed away in South Africa on December 29, 2002. Here is a quiz about his rugby career.

A multiple-choice quiz by rogerw1nz. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
rogerw1nz
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
110,326
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
530
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Don Clarke first played for Waikato as a 17 year old in 1951. How many games did he play for the province up to his retirement in 1964? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. His first international match was for Waikato, against the Springboks in 1956, the first game of their tour of New Zealand. What was the score? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Clarke was first selected for the All Blacks to play which test? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In 1959, the British Lions toured New Zealand, and played the first test against the All Blacks in Dunedin. The final score was 18-17 to New Zealand. How were New Zealand's points scored? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The 1960 tour of South Africa saw Clarke play 20 of the 24 games. How many points did he score on tour? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What was unusual about his conversion of Kelvin Tremain's try, against against France at Athletic Park, Wellington in 1961? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. On the 1963/64 tour of the United Kingdom and France, how many games did Don Clarke play? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. How many points did Don Clarke score for the All Blacks in his whole career? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Don had four brothers, all of whom played for Waikato. Which one was also an All Black? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Don Clarke had a nickname which was used as the name of his biography, co-written by Pat Booth, published in 1966. What was it? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Don Clarke first played for Waikato as a 17 year old in 1951. How many games did he play for the province up to his retirement in 1964?

Answer: 98

Clarke scored 737 points in all those games, including 11 tries, 106 conversions, and 154 penalty goals, an average of 7.5 per game. His record wasn't broken until 1993.
2. His first international match was for Waikato, against the Springboks in 1956, the first game of their tour of New Zealand. What was the score?

Answer: Waikato 14 South Africa 10

The South Africans brought a Springbok head with them, to present to the first team to beat them on tour, so it didn't last long!
3. Clarke was first selected for the All Blacks to play which test?

Answer: 3rd against South Africa 1956

Having lost the 2nd Test in 1956, the selectors made a few changes for the 3rd. It worked out well. New Zealand won 17-10, and went on to win the series 3-1 after also winning at Eden Park, Auckland.
4. In 1959, the British Lions toured New Zealand, and played the first test against the All Blacks in Dunedin. The final score was 18-17 to New Zealand. How were New Zealand's points scored?

Answer: Don Clarke kicked six penalty goals

In those days, tries were worth 3 points. The Lions scored four tries to New Zealand's none, so there was a call to downvalue the penalty goal. Eventually, the value of the try was increased, to 4 and then to 5 points.
5. The 1960 tour of South Africa saw Clarke play 20 of the 24 games. How many points did he score on tour?

Answer: 175

He kicked 32 conversions, 32 penalty goals and 4 dropped goals, and also scored one try. South Africa won the test series 2-1, with the third test drawn. In those days touring teams played two matches a week, and there were no replacements allowed during international games. No subbing off if you got tired, or even injured!
6. What was unusual about his conversion of Kelvin Tremain's try, against against France at Athletic Park, Wellington in 1961?

Answer: He kicked it at right angles to the goalposts from the sideline and the wind blew it through the posts.

The game was played in an 80 m.p.h. (128 km/h) gale. That's near hurricane-strength! New Zealand won the game 5-3.
7. On the 1963/64 tour of the United Kingdom and France, how many games did Don Clarke play?

Answer: 25

That's a game every 4.5 days on average! He scored 149 points on tour.
8. How many points did Don Clarke score for the All Blacks in his whole career?

Answer: 781

This record stood for 24 years, until broken by Grant Fox in 1988.
9. Don had four brothers, all of whom played for Waikato. Which one was also an All Black?

Answer: Ian

Ian played for the All Blacks from 1953 to 1964, touring Britain twice. He played 24 tests for New Zealand, firstly at No. 8, then as a prop. Doug played fullback and second-five (inside centre) for Waikato, and Brian & Graeme were both lock forwards. Only once did they all play for Waikato in the same match, in 1961 against Thames Valley in Te Aroha (which coincidently is the town where I was born).
10. Don Clarke had a nickname which was used as the name of his biography, co-written by Pat Booth, published in 1966. What was it?

Answer: The Boot

Don Clarke's legacy to New Zealand rugby was immense. Even now, decades after his playing days, people talk about his exploits on the playing fields of the world. Over 1000 people attended a memorial service for him at Rugby Park, Hamilton (now called Waikato Stadium) on 12 January 2003. The mighty kauri has fallen.
Source: Author rogerw1nz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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