No room for Spencer in New Zealand Maori starting lineup - 橄欖球

No room for Spencer in New Zealand Maori starting lineup to play Lions

WELLINGTON (AFP) - No room could be found for former All Black lynchpin
Carlos Spencer in the starting line-up for a star-studded New Zealand Maori
team in what is being billed as a "fourth Test" against the British and
Irish Lions in Hamilton on Saturday.

The run-on line-up announced by the New Zealand Rugby Union Tuesday includes
five different faces from the side that scored a narrow 29-27 victory over
Fiji on Friday and boasts 11 players with All Black experience.

Maori coach Matt Te Pou said Spencer -- no longer in favour with All Black
selectors -- was sure to get match time against the Lions but was absent
from the starting side because he was unable to train with the team before
Tuesday.

The mercurial Spencer -- a sublime player at his best -- also missed the
first match, turning out instead for his good mate Jonah Lomu in a benefit
match in London last weekend for former England legend Martin Johnson.

"He arrived back early this morning, came into camp around 8:30 am and is
taking part in training," Te Pou said.

"That's a credit to him. It's just a matter of building and we've been
building for some time now. That's the reason Carlos is on the bench."

Several Canterbury Crusaders players, who were rested for the Fiji game
after their Super 12 victory the previous weekend, will come into the
side and provide added class.

Among the Crusaders, Leon MacDonald comes in at fullback, Rico Gear on
the wing, Caleb Ralph at inside centre and Corey Flynn as hooker.

Waikato Chiefs lock Sean Hohneck is the other change, replacing Paul Tito
who is captaining Taranaki against the Lions in New Plymouth on Wednesday.

Some more good news for the side is that captain and blindside flanker
Jono Gibbes is recovering well from a foot injury suffered against Fiji
and will add needed grit in the Maori pack against what is sure to be a
powerful Lions forwards line-up.


New Zealand Maori team (15-1):

Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Rua Tipoki, Luke McAlister, Caleb Ralph,
David Hill, Piri Weepu, Angus MacDonald, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes (captain),
Sean Hohneck, Ross Filipo, Carl Hayman, Corey Flynn, Deacon Manu.

Reserves: Scott Linklater, Greg Feek, Daniel Braid, Wayne Ormond,
Craig McGrath, Carlos Spencer, Neil Brew.


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