Forced to sit out the England Test, a team he enjoys playing, while completing concussion protocols, Clarke said the second half of 2025 has been enjoyable for him after an injury affected his Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Blues.
A positive personality type, he hopes to lift teammates after the disappointment of the loss to England.
"This is our job, and we love to win, but we're humans and we need to enjoy the game to play at our best, so [I want to] bring a bit of energy and around the aerial side, try and bring my skills and a bit of go forward as well."
Difficulties in coping with the aerial game were due to changes in the laws.
"They've taken away their protection. In the past we've had the time and the space to get up and take the ball cleanly whereas now, it's a competition and looking at our wings, or England's, they were putting up their hand and trying to interrupt the catch."
Clarke said they had a visit from an AFL Sydney Swans player while in Chicago, who gave them some kicking pointers.
"I took it to heart and want to keep pushing. Boomfa [Leroy Carter] chewed his ear off asking how we could catch it like AFL players."
Clarke said he was keen to spend some time in Sydney over the summer to work on that side of his game.
Assistant coach Jason Holland said ahead of his last Test with the side that enthusiasm was still apparent, and the Wales Test is as important as any of those on the tour.
The battle for the chosen 23 will again be to eliminate fundamental errors that have allowed opponents back into games.
Retaining ball to deny opponents the chance to build momentum, and return pressure on the All Blacks by affecting their ability to kick effectively and to utilise their skills to work their way out of defensive situations are critical areas.
"Three or four big errors around simple skill sets really turns a Test match, doesn't it?"
Holland said he was sure the team understood what needed to happen.
"It's how we are under pressure. We are nice and clear, and we go to the plays or to the parts of the field to kick or whatever that may be, on our terms and understand that in the moment.
"We've all got to keep working hard at helping the boys to perform under pressure and understand what that looks like."
That was not so much for an individual or particular group but a collective responsibility.
"You need lots of eyes to feed in information and to help others to make decisions and we see it as a collective from us as coaching staff all the way through."
The successful transmission of ideas and comments from coaches to players during a game started during preparation ahead of the contest.
"The first part of that is making sure we get the detail and the work into the week so that when you're in the stand, you can give a one or two-word explanation around how behaviours or tactics can change. Getting the week right is massive."
The All Blacks take on Wales at 4.10am NZT on Sunday 23 November. Click HERE to find out where to watch around the world.
