Eroni Clarke (born March 31, 1969) is a New Zealand rugby union player and community leader from Apia, Samoa.
He earned 10 test caps for the All Blacks between 1992 and 1998 and received a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in January 2026.
Who is Eroni Clarke?
Eroni Clarke is a former New Zealand rugby union international who played for Auckland, the Blues, the Highlanders, and the All Blacks. He ranks among Auckland’s most capped players in the province’s entire history.
Clarke made 155 appearances for Auckland, placing him fifth on the all-time list, tied with Sean Fitzpatrick. He also scored 73 tries for the province, the fourth most in union history.
Beyond his playing career, Clarke served as New Zealand Rugby’s first Pasifika Engagement Manager from 2020. In January 2026, the New Zealand government appointed him a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
Early Life of Eroni Clarke
Eroni Clarke was born in Vaiala village in Apia, Samoa, and later settled in New Zealand. He grew up in West Auckland, where he began developing his rugby skills at a young age.
His sister is former Silver Fern Sheryl Clarke, now known as Sheryl Scanlan. The Clarke family has a deep sporting tradition across multiple disciplines.
Clarke attended Henderson High School in West Auckland. He went on to represent the Suburbs Waitakere club at senior level before breaking into the Auckland provincial squad.
Eroni Clarke Age
Eroni Clarke is 57 years old as of 2026, born on March 31, 1969. His zodiac sign is Aries.
In January 2026, he received the MNZM in the New Year Honours List. That recognition capped a career spanning professional rugby, community leadership, and mental health advocacy.
Eroni Clarke Ethnicity and Nationality
Clarke holds New Zealand nationality but was born in Apia, Samoa. He is of Samoan descent and has strong cultural ties to his Pacific heritage.
His full name carries the Samoan title Saveatama. That cultural identity has shaped his community work alongside his rugby legacy.
Eroni Clarke Height and Weight
Eroni Clarke stands 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 meters) tall. His playing weight was recorded at 90 kg (198 lbs).
That physical profile suited his roles as a wing and centre at provincial and international level. His combination of height, pace, and finishing ability made him one of Auckland’s most dangerous backs throughout the 1990s.
Eroni Clarke Education
Clarke attended Henderson High School in West Auckland during his formative years. He later developed his rugby career through the Suburbs Waitakere club in the same region.
After retiring from professional rugby, he pursued further training in community leadership and counselling. Clarke worked as a Pacific Addictions Counsellor at Tupu Waitematā District Health Board.
His commitment to education and development extended into coaching and mentoring roles. He served as a life coach with the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand.
Eroni Clarke Career
Provincial Beginnings with Auckland
Clarke made his debut for Auckland in 1991 during a Ranfurly Shield defence against Nelson Bays. In just his second match, he scored two tries against Queensland, immediately establishing himself as an explosive attacking threat.
That debut season saw him also represent the NZ XV. By 1992, his consistent form earned him a call-up to the All Blacks squad.
All Blacks Career (1992–1998)
Clarke made his All Blacks debut on April 22, 1992, against the World XV at Athletic Park in Wellington. Playing at second five-eighth in that centenary celebration match, he scored two tries in a 54–26 New Zealand victory.
He became All Black No. 919. Clarke went on to earn 10 test caps for New Zealand between 1992 and 1998.
Clarke scored five tries during his debut All Blacks season alone. He also represented New Zealand A from 1997 to 1998 and played for the New Zealand Barbarians in 1996.
Auckland Blues and Later Career
From 1996 to 2000, Clarke represented the Auckland Blues in Super 12 rugby, making 48 appearances for the franchise. During that period, he featured in Blues teams that won the Super 12 title in 1996 and 1997.
In 2001, he moved to the Highlanders for one season. Clarke later played for the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan from 2003 to 2005, then finished his domestic career with Counties Manukau in 2005.
His provincial career with Auckland spanned from 1991 to 2002. Clarke finished with 155 Auckland appearances and 73 tries, records that still rank in the province’s top five all-time.
Post-Playing Career
After retiring, Clarke took on multiple roles in rugby administration and community service. He served on the SANZAAR Judicial Panel from 2010 to 2020 and the World Rugby Judicial Panel from 2018 to 2020.
Clarke also served as President of the Auckland Rugby Union. His name appears on both the Blues and Auckland Rugby Honours Boards.
In August 2020, New Zealand Rugby appointed him as its first Pasifika Engagement Manager. In that role, he led development of the NZR Pasifika Strategy 2024–2029 and established the NZR Pasifika Advisory Group Tausoa Fa’atasi.
Broadcasting and Media
Beyond administration, Clarke worked as a sports presenter for Māori TV after his playing days. He also appeared in the New Zealand version of Match Fit in 2020, joining fellow former All Blacks in a fitness comeback challenge.
Clarke appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer New Zealand. His public profile spans both rugby commentary and broader entertainment media.
Eroni Clarke Awards and Recognition
Clarke received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2026 New Year Honours. The award recognised his services to the Pacific community, rugby, Pacific leadership, and mental health services.
His name sits on both the Auckland Rugby and Blues Honours Boards. Those listings mark him as one of the province’s most significant players across the professional era.
Clarke ranked fifth on Auckland’s all-time appearances list, tied with All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick. That record across 155 provincial games remains one of the most durable achievements in New Zealand domestic rugby.
Eroni Clarke Wife
Eroni Clarke is married to Siala Clarke. He has publicly credited her as a central source of strength throughout his career and post-playing life.
Following his 2026 MNZM recognition, Clarke stated that he owes the honour to his family and that Siala has been his right arm throughout everything. The couple have children together, though their names are not publicly confirmed.
Clarke has spoken about family as the core of his personal story. That value system carries through into his professional work supporting Pasifika athletes and communities.
Eroni Clarke Children
Clarke’s son Caleb Clarke is a professional rugby player who represents the Auckland Blues and the All Blacks. Caleb debuted for New Zealand in 2020, making Eroni the 21st former All Black whose son also represented the national team.
Caleb Clarke plays as a winger for the Blues and has become one of New Zealand’s most prominent backs. The Clarke family represents two generations of All Blacks history.
Eroni also has a nephew connection through his sister Sheryl’s family. The extended Clarke sporting family spans rugby union, netball, and international competition.
Eroni Clarke Net Worth
Eroni Clarke’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026. His earnings span a 15-year professional rugby career, broadcasting work, advisory roles, and community leadership positions.
His post-rugby career has included paid roles on the SANZAAR and World Rugby Judicial Panels, a senior position at New Zealand Rugby, and broadcasting with Māori TV. Those roles collectively represent a sustained professional career well beyond his playing days.
Clarke has also worked in counselling and life coaching, which represent additional professional activity in service-based roles. His financial profile reflects a long and varied career rather than a single primary income source.
Eroni Clarke Social Media
Clarke maintains a presence on Instagram where he shares updates on his rugby and community work. His social media activity reflects his ongoing involvement in Pacific leadership and rugby development.
He also appears across New Zealand Rugby’s own digital channels in his capacity as Pasifika Engagement Manager. That official presence extends his reach within the rugby community beyond personal platforms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eroni Clarke’s net worth?
Eroni Clarke’s estimated net worth is $2 million, accumulated through professional rugby, broadcasting, judicial panel roles, and community leadership.
How old is Eroni Clarke?
Clarke is 57 years old as of June 10, 2026, born on March 31, 1969.
Who is Eroni Clarke married to?
Eroni Clarke is married to Siala Clarke. He has credited her publicly as a central figure in both his personal and professional life.
What is Eroni Clarke’s height?
Clarke stands 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m) tall, with a playing weight of 90 kg (198 lbs).
What team did Eroni Clarke play for?
Clarke played for Auckland, the Blues, the Highlanders, and the New Zealand All Blacks at international level. He also played for the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan from 2003 to 2005.
Where was Eroni Clarke born?
Eroni Clarke was born in Apia, Samoa, in Vaiala village.
The Bottom Line
Eroni Clarke earned 10 All Blacks test caps and made 155 appearances for Auckland, ranking fifth on the province’s all-time list.
The New Zealand government recognised that career and his subsequent community contributions with an MNZM in January 2026.
Clarke was born in Samoa and built a multi-generational rugby legacy in New Zealand, with son Caleb Clarke following him into the All Blacks in 2020.
His post-playing work in Pasifika engagement, mental health, and judicial rugby administration spans more than two decades.
He continues in his role as New Zealand Rugby’s Pasifika Engagement Manager, where he leads strategy for Pacific communities across the sport.
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