By AFP
January 14th 2010 @ 8:48am
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Ex-All Black Spencer agrees to South Africa switch
Former All Blacks five-eighth Carlos Spencer has agreed to leave English Premiership side Gloucester to take up a player-coach role with South African Super 14 club the Lions.
The 34-year-old joined Gloucester from Northampton last season, but his chances were limited by the signing of Welsh international Nicky Robinson.
Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath told the BBC: “Carlos has been offered a player-coach role and will be released for that.
“He’s available for us for the next two weeks and will be leaving after the Newport Gwent Dragons game.”
Spencer was the All Blacks first choice fly-half at the 2003 World Cup, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by arch foes Australia.
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(9)
Gary Russell-Sharam said | January 14th 2010 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Good old Carlos, briliant at his best and had no peer when on song. Sadly he wasn’t on song as much as he should have been. I was a fan of Spencer in the early 2000s and he did the right thing in moving to the northern hemisphere when he dropped a little form, it will be interesting to see what he brings to the lions I only hope that he can teach others the wonderful ball handling skills that he had in his prime. A real confidence player who could win a match single handed when at his best. One year as a player to teach an up and comer and then to retire as a coach is probable a fitting end to an illustrious career. You never know if he does well he could one day be back in NZ coaching Auckland
True Tah said | January 14th 2010 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
My favourite Spencer moment was when the Blues were playing the Crusaders, and Carlos made a break, the field was open and he elected to place the ball right in the corner, despite the fact the Blues needed a successful conversion to win the match. Carlos then proceeded to walk out to the 22, virtually on the sideline and then drop kicked the conversion.
Pure rugby arrogance that paid off!
funmaster said | January 14th 2010 @ 7:20pm | Report comment
King Carlos is back!! lets hope his age hasnt completely dampened his pure rugby genius and arrogents. My favourite Spencer moment was when the All Blacks defeated the Springboks in the 2003 RWC quarters. Thats when he scooped the ball and passed it up under between his legs American football style. .. to kevin mealamu whom went on to score a try in the corner. I was sad because we lost that day, but i was in awe because of his brilliance.
Anyway lets hope my favourite player (Brent Russel) could return to super rugby soon.
Wavell Wakefield said | January 14th 2010 @ 11:20pm | Report comment
Brent Russell recently signed a new contract for Clermont.
adam said | January 14th 2010 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
he will play for the lions this is an old story
Billo said | January 14th 2010 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
Unfortunately Carlos hasn’t been doing much for the last couple of season in the Guinness Premiership.
He lost his place at Northampton, and now Gloucester will let him go. His genius burnt out all too quickly.
funmaster said | January 14th 2010 @ 9:12pm | Report comment
He is still a rugby genius. Plenty of elite super rugby players are still mimicking his style of play….
Luke McAllister, Quade Cooper, Earl Rose, Ruaan Pienaar, Steven Brett, Marcus Hernandez, Rene Ranger, Barrick Barnes…to name a few, (thou i think Barrick is a cross between a 1999 Larkham and a 1995 Merthens)
westy said | January 14th 2010 @ 10:33pm | Report comment
I loved Carlos. Whether on song or not he made rugby entertaining.Just that attacking uncertainty. He kicked with purpose unlike some of his current Australian counterparts.
Rusty said | January 15th 2010 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
so mercurial he often ran out of support or options as his team mates were as in the dark as the opposition to his genius. One of my favourite memories was him orchestrating a barbarians victory against England at twickenham. He initiated the move, hit the loop round and then threw what looked to be a short loop pass to the outside centre who was too far away. Only to catch it himself to score with the defense totally out of alignment. Pure genius and I hope some of the skills rub off on the Lions – lord knows they need everything they can get