Clarke retires after 30 years for family 'quality time'

Eroni Clarke suffered a neck injury. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Eroni Clarke, one of the great servants of Auckland rugby, has retired after a career stretching over 30 years.

Clarke suffered a neck injury playing for Waitakere City against Roskill Districts in the second week of premier one club seven weeks ago.

And while the injury, a pinched nerve, was not the main reason for his decision to retire, it was certainly a contributing factor.

"I was at a school camp with my daughter and a number of other children and their parents a couple of weeks ago when I suddenly decided that it was time I devoted more time to my family," said Clarke.

The 37-year-old veteran of 22 matches for the All Blacks, including 10 tests, 155 appearances for Auckland and over 50 for the Blues has three children, Shekynah, 10, Eroni junior, 8, and Caleb, 7, with wife Siala.

"You realise that your children grow up so quickly and that they are not going to be around forever," Clarke added.

"So I want to give my family as much quality time as I can from now on."

Clarke spent two years with his family in Japan while playing rugby for the Tokyo-based Ricoh club before returning home at the start of last rugby season.

He played throughout last season for Waitakere City and was a huge factor in the club making the Gallaher Shield final for the first time.

Waitakere City lost the final to Ponsonby in dramatic circumstances, with Clarke scoring the game's first try.

He then played for Counties in the NPC second division, ending his 2005 season honoured as Counties Players' Player of the Year.

Clarke began his rugby career at seven years old, playing for his father Iafeta's old club, Suburbs.