Teenage prodigy Payton Spencer, son of All Blacks legend Carlos, is set to make a career of his own after signing a two-year commitment with the All Blacks Sevens.
Spencer, 18, becomes one of three fresh faces to join the side in 2023, alongside Xavier Tito-Harris and Tepaea Cook-Savage, as coach Clarke Laidlaw builds his squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While the teenage fullback ultimately chose rugby, Spencer was also a gifted cricketer throughout his schooling years, with dad Carlos saying it was clear from a young age that his son was set to pave his own way in the sporting world.
“When he was young, I always thought he was pretty talented or gifted,” Spencer told SENZ The Run Home.
At just 18 years of age, his dad says his sporting future was still up in the air until last year when Laidlaw approached him with a contract and ultimately led him to choose rugby over cricket.
“I think he’s made his mind up now and I think rugby’s the path he wants to take,” Spencer added.
“We probably didn’t realise that until last year really so (it was) up in the air really in terms of what he wanted, but the decision was solely up to him, and he was going to make his mind up when he was ready I suppose.
“I suppose when you get someone knocking on your door and offering you a contract to play Sevens for the All Blacks and also play rugby for the Blues in Auckland … a young teenager’s going to jump at that opportunity and that came last year.
“That’s his path now and we’ve just got to wish him all the best and hopefully he’s in good hands, which I’m sure he will be.”
Now set to grace the international stage in Sevens and to make a potential debut for the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific 2023, the former first-five is sure his son can deal with the pressure and looks forward to seeing the player he becomes.
“I think he’s been fine, to be honest, I’ve given him no advice whatsoever,” the former All Black said.
“Like I said, we’ve just let him grow up and I think both me and Jodene (Spencer's mum) … it was never about us or about me and I think the less pressure put on him the better really.
“So it wasn’t about mentioning what I’d done and who I am and about what he’s experienced, who he needs to be, we just said that it’s entirely up to him and let him grow up the way he wants to grow up.”
Spencer will contend for a sport in Laidlaw’s starting squad this weekend as the All Blacks Sevens prepare for their final World Sevens Series event in Hamilton.
The competition begins on Saturday with New Zealand kicking off their home tournament against Tonga at FMG Stadium.