Inga Tuigamala: Spencer must wonder if it's time to hang up the boots

The signs are not looking good for Carlos Spencer's playing future. Photo / Getty Images

I'm hoping, from the bottom of my heart, that we are not about to witness a sad end to the career of Carlos Spencer.

If he can't recapture his glory days, Spencer should think seriously about hanging up the boots, even if it costs him money.

The signs are not looking good for his playing future, and the Chiefs will be out to put the acid on the former Blues and Auckland maestro when they play the Lions in Johannesburg tomorrow morning.

Carlos Spencer was an absolute freak of a player, a wonderful, wonderful footballer.

From memory, I played against him in his first senior game, when he made a mockery of Auckland for Horowhenua.

Then there was the time at Eden Park, playing for the Blues against the Highlanders, when he dummied everyone and with Jeff Wilson to beat, held the ball out in front of him and beat him too, going in and out. Memories like that are plentiful.

That's the Carlos I love to remember, the happy-go-lucky first five-eighths full of talent.

This is not what we saw last week however, when Spencer was subbed at halftime by the Lions coach Dick Muir against the Stormers.

In his 40 minutes of football, Spencer looked hesitant and couldn't glide through the gaps like the Spencer of old.

Apart from his first club season in England, things have not gone so well for Spencer since he departed the All Blacks.

Now Muir is saying there are question marks about his big signing; that playing in the Northern Hemisphere has made Spencer too rigid.

At the age of 34, you follow the opportunities that remain - including financial - and Spencer is said to be on huge money with the Lions.

I've never questioned a rugby player's heart and desire, but there comes a time when all of us have to face the truth.

I had two years left on my contract at Newcastle when I decided to retire at the age of 32. I'd wanted to leave the year before, but Newcastle wouldn't let me quit so abruptly. My mind was still sharp, but the body just wasn't following.

And I had to ask myself: How did I want to be remembered? It might have cost me a lot of money, but you can't put a value on your health.

If I'd kept going for another two years, I would have been suffering severe arthritis by now. As it is, I'm starting to feel that anyway having reached my 40s.

Money is not everything and players want to go out on a high rather than a lull. Spencer must ask the question of himself: Is it time to hang up the boots?

Not only is age taking its toll, but Southern Hemisphere rugby is still played at a greater pace than in the north and Spencer is having to deal with that.

Good luck to him, but I know the Chiefs will not make it easy for him. Having seen Muir's reaction last week, Spencer won't muck around this time.

The Chiefs have had a great start and Ian Foster and the boys will be desperate to send out another strong message in round two - they will put the heat on Spencer.

Going on last week, I don't think Spencer will survive the distance against the Chiefs, which would not bode well for the rest of his campaign.