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Carlos Spencer set for Hurricanes homecoming
By Online Editors
Carlos Spencer's New Zealand coaching debut will take place at a fairytale location for the former All Black, his old home town of Levin.
Spencer and the Hurricanes will host the defending champion Crusaders in their Super Rugby pre-season match at Levin Domain in just over two weeks time on February 2.
Spencer, who was born in Levin and schooled at Waiopehu College, took up his new role as assistant coach with the Hurricanes late last year.
While he has overseas experience coaching in South Africa and most recently in Japan, the former All Blacks playmaker will be making his New Zealand coaching debut at the Levin Domain.
“It’s funny how some things work out in the fact my first gig involved in coaching a New Zealand side in Super Rugby will be at the domain where I spent so much time as a kid,” he said in a Hurricanes release.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back there for the day with this team and showing a lot of friends and family what we are about.”
The pre-season match will be the first time the Hurricanes have played at Levin for five years, a venue where they traditionally receive great support.
Spencer believed that would be repeated on the first Saturday of February when two of Super Rugby’s best sides have their first public hit out of 2019.
“The coaching group are really keen to see the work we have done with the squad so far transferred out on the field to see how we are progressing and there will be no better opposition to do that against than the Crusaders,” he said.
Though he was born in Levin, Spencer made his name playing with Auckland and the Blues in the 1990s and early 2000s after being recruited by Sir Graham Henry.
The 35-test All Black was an integral part of Auckland's success and the Blues' two titles from 1997 and 2003.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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