Carlos proves top attraction in Whakatane | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua
Carlos proves top attraction in Whakatane
Carlos Spencer during a book signing session in Whakatane. PICTURE: HAMISH RUTHERFORD (eb0212carl)
By HAMISH RUTHERFORD in Whakatane
New Zealand's rugby focus may be on the other side of the world right now but All Blacks star Carlos Spencer is still a hit, and a top seller, in Whakatane.
The 35-test veteran made a flying half-hour visit yesterday afternoon on a promotional tour for his new authorised-biography Carlos, by Richard Becht.
Rested for the All Blacks' tour of the northern hemisphere, the 29-year-old first-five and his book were in demand at Whakatane Paper Plus.
A long queue had formed by the time Spencer arrived and autograph and photo hunters hounded him throughout the visit.
One fan came with pictures of his bulldogs (Spencer owns two of his own and was clearly impressed), another played her cellphone ring of Spencer leading the All Blacks' haka.
Spencer said the rest from rugby was the longest break he'd had "in ages" but since launching the book at the start of November the promotional tours had been "a complete rush".
While he grew up in the Horowhenua and played his professional rugby career in Auckland, Spencer has been a regular visitor to Whakatane since he began playing in the star-studded, although social, Barbarians team in the annual January touch tournament.
He said yesterday he had every intention of returning next month. He also starred in the Waiopehu College 1st XV in the school's rugby world cup in 1992.
Spencer continues his tour of the North Island and will be in Rotorua on Wednesday.
New Zealand's rugby focus may be on the other side of the world right now but All Blacks star Carlos Spencer is still a hit, and a top seller, in Whakatane.
The 35-test veteran made a flying half-hour visit yesterday afternoon on a promotional tour for his new authorised-biography Carlos, by Richard Becht.
Rested for the All Blacks' tour of the northern hemisphere, the 29-year-old first-five and his book were in demand at Whakatane Paper Plus.
A long queue had formed by the time Spencer arrived and autograph and photo hunters hounded him throughout the visit.
One fan came with pictures of his bulldogs (Spencer owns two of his own and was clearly impressed), another played her cellphone ring of Spencer leading the All Blacks' haka.
Spencer said the rest from rugby was the longest break he'd had "in ages" but since launching the book at the start of November the promotional tours had been "a complete rush".
While he grew up in the Horowhenua and played his professional rugby career in Auckland, Spencer has been a regular visitor to Whakatane since he began playing in the star-studded, although social, Barbarians team in the annual January touch tournament.
He said yesterday he had every intention of returning next month. He also starred in the Waiopehu College 1st XV in the school's rugby world cup in 1992.
Spencer continues his tour of the North Island and will be in Rotorua on Wednesday.
Email
Print