Former All Black Carlos Spencer has revealed how tough he finds it as a dad to see his son’s professional rugby career hindered by injury.
Payton Spencer, 21, is a current member of the Blues’ Super Rugby Pacific squad, having acquired his maiden full-time contract last year.
However, he is yet to debut for the side, having struggled with niggly injuries – particularly his shoulder. Reconstruction surgery sidelined him for much of 2024.
Payton Spencer has also missed the past few weeks due to a concussion suffered in a pre-season contest against the Hurricanes.
“Tough in that there’s obviously a lot of ups and downs, and he’s had a few downs with injuries over the last couple of years. I know how frustrated and disappointed he’s been.
“Experiencing that has been tough as a parent. You just want your son to be healthy and able to play and do what he loves doing. So that’s been very frustrating. But in saying that, I’m proud of him to be able to achieve what he’s done so far.”
Payton Spencer is an all-round talented sportsman. He spent time in the All Blacks Sevens programme, playing in the World Series. He’s also a gifted cricketer, having represented the national Māori schools team in 2020.
“He obviously had an opportunity to go down the cricket route, and he decided not to do that as he was finishing school. To personally see him go into that Sevens environment was good, and very proud of him.
“Wearing the Blues jumper now, he hasn’t had an opportunity to play for them yet. Hopefully, he’ll get his opportunity soon rather than later. But it’s been quite emotional, to be honest. Obviously, the lows that he’s been through injury have been frustrating, but just very proud of where he’s got to at the moment.”
Payton Spencer will have his work cut out to force his way into the Blues’ lineup at his preferred position of fullback, with Zarn Sullivan currently occupying the 15 jumper.
The Blues have had a mixed start to the season, losing in a tight encounter with the Chiefs at home and producing a bonus point victory over the Force in Perth a week later.
The Auckland-based side visits the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday, who are high on confidence after putting 50 points on the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Carlos Spencer was capped 44 times for the All Blacks and represented the Blues 99 times, winning three Super Rugby titles and scoring 620 points.
To mark 30 years of the Blues, sponsor nib New Zealand has conducted new research to reveal what kind of legacy Kiwis hope to leave behind for young people.
The survey found 61% of Kiwis say the most important lesson to pass on to young people is how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This was followed by achieving a good education (58%), giving back to the community (44%), and carrying on family traditions (30%).
However, Gen Z (18-24) were most likely to say it’s very unimportant for young people to seek a healthy lifestyle.
Spencer said: “When I was young, at home we had a solid, well-balanced routine. We were led by example instead of instructions, so healthy eating and activity felt normal, not forced.
“Those habits shaped me as a person and a player. It’s important to remember that health is built quietly, one ordinary day at a time.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.