Spencer confirms Northampton move

The worst kept secret in New Zealand rugby was finally laid to rest when Carlos Spencer confirmed his move to Northampton Saints.

One of New Zealand’s most enigmatic players will join the Zurich Premiership side after signing a three-year deal with them, bringing the curtain down on a first-class career in New Zealand that has spanned over a decade.

He leaves for Britain at the end of the Super 12 but it is unlikely he will make one final appearance for the Blues in Sydney this Friday when they take on table-toppers the New South Wales Waratahs in the final round-robin match of the campaign.

Speculation the 29-year-old was heading overseas heightened this season when he was dropped by the Blues after some inconsistent form and then headed to Northampton for talks with the Saints while recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Spencer first came to the attention of current New Zealand coach Graham Henry, then the coach of Auckland, as a 17-year-old back in 1993 and a year later he joined the province after the retirement of All Blacks legend Grant Fox.

He made his first appearance for New Zealand in 1995 against Languedoc-Roussillon in France and the following year helped kick-start the Super 12 competition with the Blues.

In the ensuing seasons his flamboyant style of play has endeared him to the Blues faithful and as one of their most influential figures has helped them to three titles.

Form and injury this season however have prevented him from joining the exclusive ‘100 club’ made up of fellow All Blacks Anton Oliver, Justin Marshall and Tana Umaga and Australian skipper George Gregan who have brought up a century of games for their respective franchises.

Spencer’s career with the All Blacks has been something of a roller-coaster ride. He was used sparingly after his Test debut in 1997 until 2003 as he battled with Andrew Mehrtens for the coveted number 10 jersey.

But in that 2003 season after helping the Blues lift the Super 12 title for the third time he was ever present in John Mitchell’s All Blacks and was the first-choice flyhalf as the All Blacks headed into the World Cup as favourites.

But the mercurial pivot will forever be remembered as the player who gifted Australia centre Stirling Mortlock that intercept try as the All Blacks again crumbled at semi-final time.

The last of Spencer’s 35 Test caps came in the 23-18 loss to Australia in last year’s Tri-Nations campaign.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said while it was sad to see a player of Spencer’s calibre leave New Zealand, he understood the reasons for his decision.

“Carlos has thrilled the New Zealand rugby public during his career and brought great joy to supporters over the years. On behalf of the NZRU I would like to thank him for the immense contribution he has made to rugby in New Zealand.”

Moller applauded Spencer’s longevity in the game and added: “He is one of the few players still playing who played in the inaugural season of the Super 12 in 1996.

“He has represented New Zealand, New Zealand Maori, the Blues and Auckland with pride and commitment and we wish him well in this next phase of his sporting career.”