(David Barpal photos.)

TODD CLEVER
Well Todd Clever is still here. This ends his tenth year as a regular 15s Eagle (hist first cap was 2003 but he didn't crack the lineup long-term until 2005), a tenure that covers five Head Coaches. During that time Clever has been a groundbreaker overseas, and a vocal, sometimes amusing and sometimes combative figurehead for the American game.

He is a physical presence on the field, and a player whose game has risen in the last year with Mike Tolkin's decision to move him to blindside flanker (most of the time). But hes here in part because of the numbers, and the numbers are staggering. Numbers don't always tell the whole truth, but Clever's longevity speaks to his durability, his willingness to play hurt, and his dedication to the national team. He made sure he was going to be available for all of this past November, and he was sorely needed on a tough tour.

So here are the numbers:
61 test match starts for the USA - tied with Luke Gross for more by an Eagle.

63 caps - second-most behind Luke Gross at 67. Clever should pass Gross some time in 2015.

42 caps as captain - no one else has even 30.

11 Years between 1st and last cap - behind Mike MacDonald and Mark Williams (12), and he will tie them the next time he plays.

11 Tries - 4th all-time for an Eagle. The only forward in the top 16.


   

   


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