Payton Spencer

Payton Spencer (born 23 April 2004) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a full back. He plays for Auckland and the New Zealand national sevens team.

Payton Spencer

Date of birth	(2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 19)^[1]
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb)
School	Hamilton Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)	Carlos Spencer (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full back Current team Auckland Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2022– Auckland () Correct as of 8 April 2024 National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps 2023– New Zealand

Early and personal life

He is the son of Jodene and New Selane rugby international Carlos Spencer.^[2] He lived in England between 2005 and 2010 when his did was playing for Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby.^[3]

He later attended Hamilton Boys' High School.^[4] Playing for their First XV, he helped them to the National First XV Championship and then the World Schools Championship in Thailand in December 2022, beating South African school Grey's College in the final.^[5][6]

Career

Also a keen cricketer in his youth, he played as an all-rounder in his high school’s first XI cricket team and represented the Black Caps as a substitute fielder in 2020. He also excelled at rugby union as a teenager, playing as a full back. In November 2022, he signed a professional contract with Super Rugby side Blues.^[7][8]

In January 2023, he agreed a two-year contract with the New Zealand national rugby sevens team side.^[9][10] He made his debut on 27 January 2023 and scored two tries against Uruguay.^[11][12] He played in the Sevens World Series as New Zealand won the Sydney Sevens, beating South Africa 38-0 in the final.^[13]

References

1. "Payton Spencer". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
2. Dunn, Alex. "HOW TEENAGE PRODIGY PAYTON SPENCER BECAME NZ SEVENS' LATEST "GIFTED" SIGNING". Sen.com.au. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
3. "Son of All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer signs first professional contract". Ruck. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
4. "ALL BLACKS SEVENS SIGN EXCITING NEW TALENT". Allblacks.com. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
5. Williamson, Nathan (31 January 2023). "Payton Spencer crafting his own name after dream Sevens debut". Rugby.com.au. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
6. "Carlos Spencer's son Payton named in All Blacks Sevens squad for Sydney". Stuff.co.nz. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
7. Powell, Alex (17 January 2023). "Rugby Sevens: Payton Spencer, son of ex-All Blacks Carlos, commits to NZ sevens programme". News Hub. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
8. https://rugby365.com/countries/new-zealand/son-of-carlos-spencers-signs-super-rugby-contract/
9. "Rugby: Carlos Spencer's teenage son Payton among new All Blacks Sevens signings". NZ Herald. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
10. "Carlos Spencer's son Payton among new signings for All Blacks Sevens squad". Stuff.co.nz. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
11. Kyriacou, Adam (27 January 2023). "WATCH: Carlos Spencer's son, Payton, shows his class with try on debut for New Zealand Sevens". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
12. "Payton Spencer, the heir to the throne". Ultimate Rugby. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
13. Morton, Finn (29 January 2023). "Rising star Payton Spencer sets sights on Olympics after 'special' final". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 8 April 2024.