Todd Clever
{{Short description|American rugby union player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Todd Clever
| image = Todd Clever Churchill Cup 2010.jpg
| caption = Clever at the 2010 Churchill Cup
| birth_name = Todd Stanger Clever
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1983|1|16}}
| birth_place = Palm Springs, California, U.S.
| height = {{Height|ft=6|in=4}}
| weight = {{Convert|213|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| school = Santa Teresa High School
University of Nevada, Reno
| ru_position = Flanker
| amatyears1 = 2015
| amatyears2 = 2016–2018
| amatteam1 = OMBAC RFC
| amatteam2 = Austin Huns
| ru_amupdate = January 23, 2015
| repteam1 = US U19
| repteam2 = United States
| repyears1 = 2000–2002
| repyears2 = 2003–2017
| repcaps1 =
| repcaps2 = 76
| reppoints1 =
| reppoints2 = 80
| ru_ntupdate = December 21, 2018
| years1 = 2010–2012
| years2 = 2012–2015
| years3 = 2015–2016
| years4 = 2018
| clubs1 = Suntory
| clubs2 = NTT
| clubs3 = Newcastle
| clubs4 = Austin
| apps1 = 21
| apps2 = 25
| apps3 = 7
| apps4 = 5
| points1 = 50
| points2 = 35
| points3 = 0
| points4 = 0
| ru_clubupdate = 5 April 2020
| super1 = Lions
| superyears1 = 2009–2010
| superapps1 = 21
| superpoints1 = 15
| super14currentclub =
| super14update = February 6, 2014
| province1 = North Harbour
| province2 = Golden Lions
| provinceyears1 = 2006
| provinceyears2 = 2009–2010
| provinceapps1 =
| provinceapps2 = 11
| provincepoints1 =
| provincepoints2 = 0
| ru_provinceupdate =
| repsevenscomp1 = 24
| repsevensyears1 = 2004–2009
| repsevensteam1 = United States
| ru_sevensupdate =
}}
Todd Stanger Clever{{Cite web |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/timeline/rugby/player/14306.html |title=ESPN Scrum Rugby Union Profile |website=ESPN |access-date=February 15, 2017}} (born January 16, 1983) is an American retired rugby union player. He became the first American to play Super Rugby. At the international level, he was a member of the United States national team, served as captain, and is the most capped player in United States rugby union history.
Early life and education
Clever was born on January 16, 1983, in Palm Springs, California. He grew up in San Jose, California and attended Santa Teresa High School.{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=January 30, 2016 |title=San Jose's Todd Clever back with USA Rugby |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/01/30/san-joses-todd-clever-back-with-usa-rugby/ |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=February 14, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=October 22, 2015 |title=How Todd Clever lost his place at USA Rugby |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2015/10/22/how-todd-clever-lost-his-place-at-usa-rugby/ |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=February 14, 2017}}Universal Sports, Todd Clever bio, http://www.universalsports.com/rugby/athletes/athlete=267557481/bio/index.html{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2016 |title=Ex-Cal star Vollmer, Stanford recruit Ledecky make Olympic swim team |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/06/27/ex-cal-star-vollmer-stanford-recruit-ledecky-make-olympic-swim-team/ |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=February 15, 2017}} He attended college at the University of Nevada, Reno and played for the club rugby team, where he was named a three-time collegiate All-American (2002–04).{{Cite news |date=August 1, 2004 |title=Nevada rugby player named All-America |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/154404823/?terms=%22Todd%2BClever%22 |newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal |access-date=February 15, 2017 |url-access=subscription }}
Club rugby career
=National Provincial Championship=
Clever began his professional career in New Zealand in 2006 when he joined North Harbour in the National Provincial Championship.
=Super Rugby=
He played with the South African Lions franchise in the 2009 Super 14. Clever is the first American player to ever play in the Super 14 and scored the first try for an American in Super 14 against the Hurricanes on March 28, 2009. Clever played for the Lions against the British & Irish Lions.
=Top League=
Clever joined Suntory of Japan in June 2010. In March 2012 Clever and Suntory won the Japan Top League final over Panasonic.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rugbytoday.com/international/americans-overseas-clever-wins-quiet-elsewwhere |title=Clever Wins |access-date=September 16, 2018|date=February 27, 2012 }} He then went on to play for the BGC APBs which won the 2012 Hong Kong 10s tournament.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3848:clever-helps-apbs-to-hk-10s-cup&catid=80:americans-overseas-&Itemid=260 |title=Clever Helps APBs to HK 10s Cup |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608064254/http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3848:clever-helps-apbs-to-hk-10s-cup&catid=80:americans-overseas-&Itemid=260 |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 16, 2018}} In March 2012 Clever signed a contract with NTT Communications Shining Arcs another Top League club.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rugbytoday.com/international/clever-signs-ntt |title=Clever Signs with NTT |access-date=September 16, 2018 |date=March 29, 2012 |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917034356/http://www.rugbytoday.com/international/clever-signs-ntt |url-status=dead }} He confirmed that he would be leaving the Shining Arcs after the 2015 season to rejoin his former club OMBAC to compete in the 2015 Pacific Rugby Premiership.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2015/01/todd-clever-confirmed-to-join-ombac.html|website=TIAR|title=Clever returns home to USA|access-date=January 23, 2015}}
=English Premiership=
On September 17, 2015, Clever moved to England to join top professional club Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership for the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34284130|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Newcastle Falcons sign USA Eagles flanker Todd Clever|date=September 17, 2015|access-date=September 18, 2015}} He played one season for the Falcons, earning 6 caps.
=Major League Rugby=
In 2016, Clever signed on as both a co-owner and player for Austin Elite Rugby,{{cite web|url=https://www.usarugby.org/player/todd-clever/|title=Todd Clever|website=USA Rugby|access-date=September 16, 2018}} an independent newly-professional club and one of the founding members of Major League Rugby, launched in 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2017/02/13/major-league-rugby-coming-2018/|title=Major League Rugby coming in 2018 – Americas Rugby News|website=www.americasrugbynews.com|access-date=September 16, 2018|date=February 13, 2017}}
=Pacific Rugby Premiership=
In 2017, Clever won a PRP Title with Old Mission Beach Athletic Club RFC.
=Austin Huns: 2017 USA D1 Club National Championship=
In May and June 2017, Todd Clever played with the Austin Huns Rugby Football Club and assisted the Austin Huns in winning their first D1 Club National Championship with a 27 - 23 victory over the New York Athletic Club on June 3.
International rugby career
=Youth internationals=
Clever was introduced to the United States national teams in July 2000 when he joined the U19 national team for their Australian tour.{{Cite web |url=http://usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=247 |title=U19s: USA Rugby Men's U19 National Team to Compete in Australia |date=July 17, 2000 |website=USA Rugby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020620102311/http://usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=247 |archive-date=June 20, 2002 |access-date=February 15, 2017}} He was named to the team for the 2002 IRB FIRA/AER Junior World Championships in February 2002, with his last appearance for the U19's coming in their loss to Spain.{{Cite web |url=http://usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=351 |title=U19s: World Championship Team Announced |date=February 8, 2002 |website=USA Rugby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020416135506/http://usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=351 |archive-date=April 16, 2002 |access-date=February 15, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=382 |title=U19s: Lose Close Match to Spain |date=March 29, 2002 |website=USA Rugby |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020811190236/http://www.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/02/press/display.pl?releaseId=382 |archive-date=August 11, 2002 |access-date=February 15, 2017}}
=USA Eagles=
Clever made his international debut against {{nrut|Argentina}} in August 2003, at the age of 20.[http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/natteams/mnt/15ProfileDetail.pl?playerId=79 USA Rugby – Men's National Team – Player Profile – Todd Clever] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612155758/http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/natteams/mnt/15ProfileDetail.pl?playerId=79 |date=June 12, 2008 }}. Web.usarugby.org. Retrieved on June 7, 2012. Clever played for the US during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he intercepted a pass against South Africa that led to Takudzwa Ngwenya scoring the try of the 2007 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkU3zR-dsXU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216091911/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkU3zR-dsXU|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2017|title=YouTube| website=YouTube |date=February 16, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2018}}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7055821.stm |work=BBC News | title=Habana wins player of year award | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=May 25, 2010}}
Among other accolades, Clever was named the 2008 USA Rugby Men's Player of the Year by World Rugby Shop. Clever played in the 2009 Churchill Cup that saw the Eagles clinch the Bowl by beating Georgia.[http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/eagles/Eagles_outlast_Georgia.shtml Loading] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625032421/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/eagles/Eagles_outlast_Georgia.shtml |date=June 25, 2009 }}. American Rugby News. Retrieved on June 7, 2012. Clever further led the Eagles to success in 2009 by beating Uruguay in a home-and-away series to clinch a berth into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/eagles/USA_into_RWC_2011.shtml Loading] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124111700/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/eagles/USA_into_RWC_2011.shtml |date=November 24, 2009 }}. American Rugby News. Retrieved on June 7, 2012. Clever captained the team during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, starting three matches.
He was chosen as the North American Player of the Decade and the Ruggamatrix USA Player of the Decade for 2000–2009.Rugby Mag, Clever Claims Award, January 11, 2012, http://www.rugbymag.com/usa-men/3083-clever-claims-award.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025092443/http://rugbymag.com/usa-men/3083-clever-claims-award.html |date=October 25, 2013 }} For many years Clever was the captain and face of the United States national team.
On July 19, 2015, one day after a loss to Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup, USA Rugby announced that Todd Clever was released from the Eagles roster due to "multiple squad conduct violations."{{cite press release |author= |title=Todd Clever released from USA Rugby Eagles' Pacific Nations Cup squad|url=http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-news/item/todd-clever-released|publisher=USA Rugby |date=July 19, 2015|access-date=July 20, 2015}} After the Eagles finished their World Cup campaign, Clever published a letter explaining his version of the events. He claims that he had received permission to attend the ESPY awards show with Scott Lavalla as long as they were back and ready to train the following day. However the schedule was altered when Clever and Lavalla had left and they both missed an early morning gym session. Lavalla was dropped to the bench and Clever was dropped from the match day squad for their upcoming PNC match. Following this incident Clever also missed a morning jogging session, and this prompted Tolkin to kick Clever off the team. Tolkin did not recall Clever to the World Cup squad. Instead Clever spent a week training with the Barbarians F.C. Originally Clever was going to retire following the 2015 World Cup, but this incident motivated Clever to continue playing professional rugby.{{cite web|title=Todd Clever Speaks on Eagle Ouster|url=http://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/todd-clever-speaks-eagle-ouster|website=Goff Rugby Report|access-date=October 22, 2015|date=October 22, 2015}}
Following poor results at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, USA Rugby parted ways with Mike Tolkin.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2015/11/tolkin-must-re-apply-to-coach-eagles.html |title=Tolkin Must Re-apply To Coach Eagles, U.S.A. Rugby Opens Search |date=November 9, 2015 |website=www.thisisamericanrugby.com |access-date=February 16, 2016}} Newly appointed head coach John Mitchell reintegrated Clever with the team immediately as well as reinstating him as captain of the squad.{{Cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/286837.html |title=Eagles' captain Todd Clever hat-trick powers USA over Canada |date=February 14, 2016 |website=ESPN |access-date=February 16, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.planetrugby.com/news/mitchell-names-clever-eagles-captain/ |title=Mitchell names Clever as USA captain |date=February 1, 2016 |website=Planet Rugby |access-date=February 14, 2017}} He became the most capped player in United States history on June 25, 2016, in the United States' 2016 mid-year rugby union internationals match against Russia.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usarugby.org/2016/06/work-for-it-todd-clever-and-the-new-u-s-caps-record/ |title=Work for It: Todd Clever and the new U.S. caps record |last=Wise |first=Chad |date=June 25, 2016 |website=USA Rugby |access-date=February 14, 2017}}
On June 21, Clever announced his international retirement and his last game was the Eagles' 52–16 win over Canada which caused the United States to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as Americas 1.
=USA Sevens=
Clever has also played for the US national rugby sevens team. In late 2009, Clever scored what was deemed the try of the day in George. In the final match of the day for the US against Scotland, Clever leaped over an injured player and physio and glided into the try zone for a consolation try.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnKZE1VwhJU&feature=player_embedded Play of the Day: George Final day]. YouTube (December 12, 2009). Retrieved on June 7, 2012.
Personal life
Clever was featured in ESPN The Magazine's 2015 The Body Issue and was the first rugby player in the edition's history.{{Cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2513863-espn-body-issue-2015-release-date-list-of-athletes-and-more |title=ESPN Body Issue 2015: Release Date, List of Athletes and More |last=Chiari |first=Mike |date=July 5, 2015 |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=February 14, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/bodytoddclever/united-states-rugby-captain-todd-clever-hands-clothes-espn-magazine-body-issue |title=US rugby captain Todd Clever hands off his clothes |last=Ain |first=Morty |date=July 6, 2015 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 14, 2017}}
On August 31, 2020, he announced his engagement to Maya Stojan on various social media.{{cite tweet|user=ToddsClever|author=Todd Clever|author-link=Todd Clever|number=1300473444283293696|date=September 1, 2020|title=I’ll start by saying that I feel like the luckiest man alive!}}
Training
Over his career, Clever's training has included lower body and rotational power, foundational based lower body strength training to improve force production and attempt to lower risk of injuries, and rugby-specific Energy System Development.{{Cite web|url=https://nakoafit.com/bro-deal-todd-clever/|title=The Bro Deal with Todd Clever|last=Gallop|first=Ryan|date=2017-06-16|website=NAKOA Performance|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}
Awards and honors
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- U-19 National Team Member (2000–2002)
- 3-time College All-American (2002–2004)
- USA Eagles (7s)
- USA Eagles (XVs)
- Captain USA Eagles (XVs)
- First American to play in the Super 14{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
- First American to score a try in the Super 14{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
- 2006 ARN Player of the Year[http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/national/Johnson_Player_of_the_Year.shtml Loading] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123172137/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/national/Johnson_Player_of_the_Year.shtml |date=January 23, 2016 }}. American Rugby News. Retrieved on June 7, 2012.
- 2008 USA Rugby Men's Player of the Year{{Cite web|last=Young|first=Wendy|date=14 November 2008|title=USA Rugby Updates – Week of Nov 9, 2008|url=https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2008/11/14/usa-rugby-updates-week-of-nov-9-2008/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120205454/https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2008/11/14/usa-rugby-updates-week-of-nov-9-2008/|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=20 January 2021|website=Scrum Half Connection}}
- 2009 RUGBYMag.com Player of the Year{{Cite web|date=2010-02-25|title=2009 RUGBYMag.com Awards!|url=http://www.rugbymag.com/fan-zone/awards/2009-rugbymagcom-awards.aspx|access-date=2021-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225161813/http://www.rugbymag.com/fan-zone/awards/2009-rugbymagcom-awards.aspx|archive-date=February 25, 2010}}
- 2009 RUGBYMag.com Overseas Performer of the Year [http://www.rugbymag.com/fan-zone/awards/2009-overseas-performer-of-the-year.aspx ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412165119/http://www.rugbymag.com/fan-zone/awards/2009-overseas-performer-of-the-year.aspx |date=April 12, 2010 }}
- North American Rugby Player of the Decade 2000–2009[http://www.heavensgame.com/globetrotter/north-american-rugby-player-of-the-decade-2000-2009 ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510021351/http://www.heavensgame.com/globetrotter/north-american-rugby-player-of-the-decade-2000-2009 |date=May 10, 2010 }}
- RuggaMatrix USA Player of the Decade 2000–2009[http://toddclever.com/news/132 ]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}
{{div col end}}
International tries
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [http://www.usarugby.org/player/todd-clever/ USA Rugby player profile]
- [http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/Team/View/139 Newcastle Falcons player profile]
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clever, Todd}}
Category:Sportspeople from Palm Springs, California
Category:Rugby union players from San Diego
Category:Sportspeople from San Jose, California
Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players
Category:North Harbour rugby union players
Category:Tokyo Sungoliath players
Category:Urayasu D-Rocks players
Category:University of Nevada, Reno alumni
Category:United States international rugby union players
Category:Expatriate rugby union players in New Zealand
Category:American expatriate rugby union players in Japan
Category:Expatriate rugby union players in South Africa
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in New Zealand
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in South Africa
Category:United States international rugby sevens players
Category:Santa Teresa High School alumni
Category:Austin Gilgronis players
Category:Newcastle Falcons players
Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players
Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players
Category:American expatriate rugby union players in England