Payton Spencer scored his first Super Rugby try for the Blues as they beat the Fijian Drua 40-15.
The full-back is the son of legendary All Black Carlos Spencer, who was watching from the crowd as his son dotted down for his first Super Rugby score.
Payton Spencer against Fijian Drua
Payton Spencer scored in the 64th minute, finishing off a brilliant counterattack try which saw the Blues go from their own five-metre line. Spencer got on the end of a Finlay Christie kick through.
This wasn’t his only action in the game, either, as he also assisted two tries. He showed a cool head to hold the final defender and deliver the pass to his winger.
Payton’s path to Super Rugby
Spencer started making headlines in 2022 when he helped his Hamilton Boys’ High School team become National Schools champions. He then helped his school to the World Schools Festival, where they beat the famous Grey’s College 22-10 in the final. The full-back even slotted a 50 metre penalty in the final.
A month later, still at 18, he hit the Sevens circuit and helped New Zealand win the Sydney Sevens.
Spencer is also a very talented cricketer, having been used as a substitute fielder for the Black Caps in 2020.
He went on to make his Blues debut in March 2026 against the Waratahs in round six of Super Rugby, then started against the Drua in round seven.
Carlos Spencer and his rugby legacy
Carlos Spencer was known for his flair and style of play. Spencer was one of the early faces of Super Rugby, playing for the Blues for the first 10 seasons of the competition.
Spencer played 35 times for the All Blacks, and only five players have scored more points for the All Black than the famous number 10.
The out-half brought a new style to rugby as it was turning professional, and gained him the nickname ‘King Carlos.’
