Spencer must make way for Francis
1 Mar 2010
Carlos Spencer is causing confusion and panic in a Lions team that requires calm.
The New Zealand media were excited to see Spencer back home, but six years’ absence has done that to them. Spencer is also enthused to be back playing Super Rugby, but from the Lions’ perspective, he’s failed to add anything meaningful to their results in three matches.
That’s not entirely his fault, as the Lions’ structureless approach is doing none of their players any good.
Coach Dick Muir believes Spencer’s time in England has meant he’s picked up bad habits, and the longer he plays with his Lions team-mates the better he’ll get. The facts are the opposite. At 35, he’s in the twilight of his career [proved by him not starting at Gloucester behind Welshman Nicky Robinson and England U20 flyhalf Freddie Burns], and Spencer admitted as much last week.
‘I’m just trying to keep up really,’ he said. ‘I’m not getting any younger, I’m getting slower. For me it’s just trying to do the best I can to help this side succeed.’
Spencer should have much to offer the Lions’ camp, but with the current care-free mindset, it’s hampering their progress. As a senior player who’s admitted he’s struggling to keep up, his frantic actions also contradict that.
Ten minutes into the second half against the Hurricanes, as the Lions won a penalty 5m from their line, Spencer prompted JP Joubert to take the quick-tap. As soon as the scrumhalf encountered a wall of defenders, he kicked the ball straight down field, allowing the Canes an opportunity to counter-attack. That just shows how much of a plan the Lions have: there is none.
As an influential international – the only one in the side – Spencer should have a calming effect. Instead, he has the opposite, and the above is just one example.
Spencer’s trickery may look impressive, but it’s largely unproductive, while his tactical kicking is also poor.
For the second week in a row, the Lions couldn’t dominate the opposition when they were a man short with players sin-binned. Against the Hurricanes with Ma’a Nonu off, the Lions couldn’t take full advantage with Spencer aimlessly flinging the pill out wide with no plan to expose the gap in midfield. Last week against the Chiefs, when they had 14 and then 13 men on the pitch, a similar scenario ensued.
Muir’s big goal is to score tries, and in the 45 minutes Francis has been on the park, the Lions have scored seven. In the 163 minutes Spencer has been on, they’ve scored five. Admittedly, they’ve been very different situations, but it’s clear to see how Francis’s game suits the Lions’ strengths.
Francis – even at age 23 and with minimal Super 14 experience – has provided more composure, a trait that this Lions side requires. Francis was the only player dropped from the 22 for last week’s match against the Canes, but against the Brumbies this weekend, he must be the man in the 10 jersey.
That’s not to say there’s no room for Spencer, but from the evidence of the first three matches, it’s not in the starting XV.
Muir’s goal is to win the Super 14 in three years. In 2012, that’s not going to be with Spencer playing pivot. From a short-term and long-term perspective, Francis is the better option to start.
By Grant Ball
57 Comments
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2 Mar 2010, 20:23 pm
@grant10: @20
Im not exactly sure why you are apologising there, G10, I personally couldnt give a **** where these players came from. It was a shock for all Kiwis to hear anyone was nostalically blind enough to offer an old codger like Carlos a contract in the first place.
But to start blaming him after Round 3 of a competition says more about the hand that feeds him than it does about Carlos himself.
@Kobus Kitty: @7
but this 1 posting will live long in perpetuity in amongst my all-time favourite on Keo.
“I own a very successful farm and am certainly more well off than you.”
KKK, this does atleast carve you out what we already suspected and now we now for sure, that you are indeed a
Prize Chop !
2 Mar 2010, 23:32 pm
@Kobus Kitty:
lol,thats so immature.
2 Mar 2010, 23:35 pm
@Hurricane:
It takes two to tango mate, and BP has tangoed quite well himself
2 Mar 2010, 23:36 pm
@whatever:
all i know mate is my daddy can beat up Kobus dad esay
2 Mar 2010, 23:38 pm
@Hurricane:
Classic
2 Mar 2010, 23:46 pm
The question is: With the assets currently at his disposal, how does Muir ensure that he gets the most value? – i.e. how to give Francis game time with minimal risk and benefit from the experience of Carlos.
So how about starting with Francis at 10, Carlos on the bench?
Should Francis struggle, then you’d expect that Carlos’ experience would enable him to identify from the sidelines any needed changes in approach, and then implement them when coming on. Francis, in turn, could then watch as Carlos implements those changes – and in a best case scenario, overcome the challenges that Francis was struggling with. Francis then starts the next game with some lessons learnt.
2 Mar 2010, 23:48 pm
Another option is to move Francis to 12 when Carlos comes on – although Doppies is very underrated.
It wouldn’t be the first time that a future 10 has learnt from someone more experienced while playing alongside them.
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