Todd Clever
As of January 6, 2013 National: November 24, 2012
Todd Stanger Clever ( born January 16, 1983 in Palm Springs, California) is an American rugby union player. He currently plays as the captain for the national team of the United States in the position of winger. In addition, Clever plays for the Japanese club NTT Shining Arcs Top League.
Career
Youth
Clever first played rugby at the Santa Teresa High School in San Jose. In 2000-2002, he was also used in the U19 national team of the United States. Later he played for the University of Nevada in Reno (2002-2004).
Club career
Clever began his professional career in 2006 in New Zealand with the provincial team North Harbour. In 2009, he played in the South African Lions franchise and was the first U.S. American to put a try in Super 14 competition. The happened on 28 March 2009 at the Lions game against the Hurricanes. In June 2010, Clever joined the Japanese Top League club Suntory Sungoliath with whom he won the Top League final against the Panasonic Wild Knights in March 2012. In the same month Clever signed a contract with the Premier League rivals NTT Shining Arcs.
National team career
Todd Clever debuted in August 2003 for the national team of the United States against Argentina at the age of twenty. He participated in the World Championships in 2007 and 2011, and won with his team in 2005, the Men's Plate Final ( 3rd place ) and 2009 and 2011, the Men 's Bowl final ( 5th place) in the Churchill Cup. Clever received numerous awards and was captained the figurehead of the USA Eagles. He also played from 2004 to 2009 for the 7 national rugby team of the United States.
Honors
- ARN 2006 Player of the Year
- 2008 World Rugby Shop 's USA Rugby male player of the year
- 2008 USA Rugby male player of the year
- 2009 RUGBYMag.com Player of the Year
- 2009 RUGBYMag.com overseas Performer of the Year
- North American Rugby Player of the Decade 2000-2009
- RuggaMatrix USA Player of the Decade 2000-2009