Page 33 - MAB v The Lions

Carlos Carlos Spencer
Spencer
Carlos Carlos Spencer’s career can be laid out in dry statistical form but it it tells little of the impact and air that he he brought to most of his teams A rst ve-eighth with a a a a a vast skill set and a a a a a penchant for the outrageous Spencer’s talents found a a a a a wide appreciation in the Blues and Maori All Blacks He debuted for the Maori as an an 18-year-old in 1994 and played 10 games for the the team the the last of which was a a a a a a a cameo appearance as a a a a a a replacement in 2005 He excelled on the 2001 tour of Australia But his play for the Blues in 2002-03 culminating in in in the 2003 Super Rugby title won him consecutive Tom French Cups Spencer’s best seasons in in the All Blacks came in in 1997
and 2003 where his running of the cutter was measured
but his ability to wow the crowds was undimmed exempli ed ed by his between-the-legs pass to set up Joe Rokocoko for a a try at RWC 2003 5 Steven Pokere
Pokere
Steve Steve Pokere
Pokere
was a a a brilliantly gi ed mid elder who could if the occasion demanded slot in at rst ve-eighth Though he he made his name for the All Blacks in 39 matches from 1981-85 mainly as a a a a centre his star shone brightest on on the 1982 Maori All Blacks tour of Wales and Spain Operating mainly at at second ve-eighth he showed his class throughout the tour culminating in in in ve tries against Spain in in in the the climactic game of the the tour It won him the Tom French Cup as outstanding Maori player of the year for 1982 Pokere
had originally shot to prominence in in in 1981 during his rst appearance for the Maori against the the Springboks and he he he debuted in in in the the white-hot atmosphere of of the third Test of of that series at Eden Park He played for the Maori through until 1987 and is fondly recalled as one of the nest players to wear the jersey of that national team Liam Messam
The Maori All Blacks have always carried a a a a a a a a a a special place in the heart of Liam Messam
Circumstances and All Blacks selection have meant that he has played in just 12 games for the team from 2006-10 but he he is in the squad for tonight’s game The loose forward has always brought maximum commitment to the team – and indeed for for any team for for whom he he plays The high-water mark of his long career came in 2012-13 when he he won the bulk of his 43 All Blacks caps and won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs showcasing his brand of high work rate and and deep skill set That earned him consecutive Tom French Cups His debut for the Maori came at the 2006 Churchill Cup where he he he was named player of the tournament Messam
is a a a a a a a leader who carries mana and respect within Maoridom and and the New Zealand rugby community at large DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 33
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