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King Carlos is coming back for the Blues

King Carlos Spencer

Is this the spark the Blues need to return them to former glory?

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba90l_DnIjO/?taken-by=bluesrugbyteam

Former All Black and Auckland star Carlos Spencer has been confirmed as the team’s wildcard player in February’s Brisbane Global Tens, at the ripe old age of 42.

https://twitter.com/PeriodismoRugby/status/925833451303030785

Spencer, who last played competitive rugby six years ago, was at the heart of the Blues’ 2003 championship win – the last time they held the Super Rugby trophy aloft. He also earned 35 caps for the All Blacks.

He moved to England after leaving NZ in 2005, playing for Northampton Saints and Gloucester. After he hung up his boots he was involved in the coaching setup at the Lions Super Rugby side.

Spencer is most remembered for his mercurial style, particularly this outrageous try against the Crusaders in 2004:

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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