Rugby: Spencer to leave tour with injury

CARDIFF - Carlos Spencer will leave the All Blacks rugby tour on Wednesday and faces the prospect of a late start to next season because of his shoulder injury.

The Auckland first five-eighth, who played the first half of the test against England but was forced off with a damaged rotator cuff, has shown little sign of recovery since.

He will see a specialist in Auckland to determine whether surgery is needed.

"I'd rather go home now to get it looked at and find out what's really wrong with it," Spencer said today.

"I'd rather get it sorted now rather than play in the Super 12 and have it go again halfway through that.

"If it is an operation then I'm looking at 3-4 months out. If I get it done straight away then I'm looking at March which isn't too bad."

Spencer said his main goal was being 100 per cent fit for next year's World Cup.

All Blacks doctor John Mayhew said the injury may only require a rehabilitation programme as treatment, rather than surgery. In that situation his recovery time could be just a couple of months.

Spencer suffered the injury in a tackle when he was twisted the wrong way.

He was in outstanding form for champions Auckland during the NPC and looked sharp during his 40 minutes at Twickenham.

Paul Steinmetz was flown over as first five-eighth cover last week and was on the reserve bench against France.

- NZPA