New role sparks Spencer

By CHRIS RATTUE

A confident Carlos Spencer will take on the fullback's role for New Zealand Maori on Saturday night as he seeks to re-ignite his international career.

First five-eighths Spencer has, as predicted, been named at fullback for the match against the world champion Australians in Sydney, after Leon MacDonald's withdrawal because of an ankle injury.

Among the spectators at yesterday's early training at Avondale College was Pat Walsh, the captain of the last Maori side to play Australia in 1958 when a three-match series across the Tasman was drawn.

It might have been a good omen for Spencer. Walsh was maybe the most versatile player to have worn the All Blacks jersey, playing at inside and outside centre, wing and fullback in test matches.

While Spencer has been in the shadow of Andrew Mehrtens in terms of the All Blacks, he did finish last season as the test pivot in the final international against Italy in Genoa.

Spencer's hopes of returning to the test squad were hit by a knee injury which sidelined him from the final five Super 12 games this year.

With Maori coach Matt Te Pou indicating that he wanted Spencer at fullback, he played in that position for Ponsonby last weekend.

It was about his fourth game at fullback, the others having included half a match for the New Zealand side which played the Pacific Barbarians in Japan on the way to France and Italy late last year.

Spencer, who suffered a slight hamstring injury at training yesterday, rejected any suggestion that he had a lot to learn in a short space of time in his new position.

"I am really looking forward to this," he said.

"This season has been a bit of a disappointment so far but this is a new team, a new beginning.

"There are a few things to learn in running lines and on defence but other than that I think it will be pretty easy to adapt.

"Things went pretty well at fullback for Ponsonby on the weekend. It is a lot different from first-five but I'm really enjoying it.

"You can see a lot more from back there, how things are developing.

"What this might mean for the future, I don't know. I really haven't thought about it. I'm just concentrating on this game."

Like others in the side, Spencer said there was always a different feeling playing in the Maori team.

"The Maori team has its own atmosphere. It's nice and relaxed which is great to be around, but when it's time to work you get to work. It's awesome," said Spencer.

"This is a big game for all of us and it is for Maori rugby as well. They don't get the chance to play the world champions very often."

Spencer sat out the afternoon training. No 8 Ron Cribb - who will start the game on the bench, with captain Deon Muir at the back of the scrum - was also sidelined because of a hand injury.

Both are expected to be fit for the match at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Spencer's move to fullback means Glen Jackson will start at first five-eighths and as goalkicker.

Te Pou said: "Carlos has always had the x-factor. He's a game-breaker and I believe playing at fullback will allow him every opportunity to show off his skills."

Maori: Carlos Spencer, Roger Randle, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Bruce Reihana, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan; Deon Muir (c), Taine Randell, Troy Flavell, Mark Cooksley, Norm Maxwell, Deacon Manu, Norm Hewitt, Greg Feek. Res: Rua Tipoki, David Hill, Brendan Haami; Matua Parkinson, Ron Cribb, Paul Thomson, Slade McFarland.