E101 | Carlos Spencer
Episode summary | Carlos Spencer
Carlos Spencer is widely regarded as one of the best rugby players of his generation. He played 44 times for the All Blacks, 89 for Auckland, 99 for the Blues where he won two Super Rugby championships, then enjoyed stints playing and coaching in England, South Africa and Japan.
It’s a long way from his humble beginnings in Levin where he caught the eye of Graham Henry while playing for Horowhenua in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland. Now a father of a promising high school sports talent who looks as though he could follow in Carlos’ footsteps.
Carlos was one of rugby’s first real professionals who learned to look after his body early, he was also a reluctant star who became the body of Toffeepops in the 2000s. He transferred that discipline into several prominent celebrity boxing promotions and was even playing rugby well into his 40s.
Carlos was one of rugby’s genuine superstars, but in person is such a humble, down to earth Kiwi bloke. He’s lived one hell of a life, with so many incredible stories to tell.
Show notes | Carlos Spencer
2:00 90 minutes late after a Carlos Reno Rescue
3:22 HAMbassador chat
5:39 Peyton Spencer: history repeating?
9:13 Parenting a potential sports star
15:28 Viral sensations during lockdown
18:25 Playing club rugby and the Brisbane 10s in your 40s
23:35 Fight for Life and the boxing career
26:50 Back to Horowhenua and catching the eye of Graham Henry
33.34 From a small town to the big smoke: the shift to Auckland
38:40 At the forefront of professional rugby
43:23 Arrogance or confidence?
46:00 Missing the 1999 Rugby World Cup
49:21 Impressions of Jonah and reflections on rugby in Auckland in the 90s
55:40 Carlos and the media
57:12 The ballsiest play in New Zealand sport
1:02:02 Carlos’ relationship with Canterbury and Andrew Mehrtens
1:04:45 South African sojourn
1:10:40 Coaching in another language
1:12:17 The strain of being a rugby globetrotter
1:14:49 Carlos’ Reno Rescue and future projects
1:20:29 Toffeepops and last words from Steven, Seamus and Carlos
