Is Carlos Spencer set for a return to the rugby field at the age of 42?
The dazzling former All Blacks first-five is being considered as a wildcard for the second edition of the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens to be played at Suncorp Stadium on February 9-10.
Spencer hasn't played competitively since 2011 when he finished his Super Rugby career with a stint at the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
Carlos Spencer has kept himself fit with boxing, seen here fighting Monty Betham in a Fight For Life promotion.
Picture not included
He has moved into coaching, but remains a fitness freak and there would be few doubts about his conditioning.
Tens organiser Duco Events viewed Spencer's skills as ideal for the abbreviated rugby format and liked the possibility of him lining out against Queensland's Quade Cooper, the Wallabies No 10 he inspired.
Spencer, who played 35 tests between 1995 and 2004, could put on the colours of his old Blues franchise where former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina, 37, is also being touted as a wildcard contender.
The tournament this year features 10 Super Rugby teams along with a team each from Samoa and Fiji as well as Conrad Smith's French club Pau and Japanese outfit Panasonic Wild Knights. Fellow former All Black Colin Slade was also with Pau.
The Chiefs were the inaugural Tens champions, winning the final 12-7 against the Crusaders who would then go on to win this year's Super Rugby title.
Spencer was last month linked to a return to the South African scene where former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has taken charge of the Bulls in Pretoria. Spencer was one of Mitchell's assistant coaches when he led the Lions to the Currie Cup title in 2011.
"I think that's a massive rumour. Carlos is contracted in Japan, and I think that rumour should be squashed," Mitchell said.
"Clearly and obviously we've had a relationship before and he's a bloody good coach, but at this moment in time, we'll just stick with what we have."
* This article has been corrected after originally stating the Crusaders were the inaugural winners of the Brisbane Tens.
- Stuff
