Rugby: Spencer poised to stay a Blues man

By WYNNE GRAY

New Zealand is edging ahead in the rugby scrap for Carlos Spencer.

The five-eighths has been linked to a huge deal with the Leicester club in England, but urgent talks yesterday with his Auckland and New Zealand Rugby Football Union employers appeared to have made a breakthrough.

Spencer stepped off a plane into contract negotiations yesterday and later emerged to talk exclusively to the Herald.

"I am much closer to signing with New Zealand," he said. "I have not signed with Leicester and always wanted to deal with the NZRFU.

"This is where I would prefer to be playing, with my mates, and it is getting very close to happening."

One prominent player who did sign yesterday was Auckland captain Paul Thomson. He put his signature to another three-year deal with the ARU and NZRFU, a move it is suggested will have a domino effect among his team-mates.

ARU chief executive Geoff Hipkins said: "As captain, Paul is a key influence in the team and Carlos, too, has had plenty of publicity lately. We are working with the NZRFU to try to close a deal there."

Under his contract arrangements, Spencer has to give the NZRFU the first right of refusal on any other offers he gets. Earlier this year, Leicester coach Dean Richards travelled to New Zealand and spoke to Spencer. The club later presented an offer believed to be worth about $1.5m for a three-year deal.

Once Spencer received the lucrative Leicester proposal he gave that to the NZRFU to see how they would respond.

There had been some discussions in recent weeks before Spencer, still on the injured list with his knee problem and unable to play for the Barbarians, flew to Britain as a guest of the club.

While there he learned he had missed the 26-strong All Black selection and also took the chance to investigate the Leicester club in case he made a future move there.

But yesterday, within hours of his return to New Zealand, Spencer signalled his desire to be back in Auckland colours next season.

"My preference is to play in New Zealand," he said.

"I am only 24 and would like to go to the next World Cup with the All Blacks. I love rugby, but I have had to look to my future and that was the sort of juggling act I had to do."

NZRFU chief executive David Rutherford said last night: "We do recognise Carlos' talent and we would like him to stay with the NZRFU."

Spencer said he had been upset with some reports claiming he had signed for Leicester.

He also felt he had complied with an NZRFU request to be back home yesterday.

His injury meant he could not join the Maori squad.