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Cape Town - Former All Black flyhalf, Carlos Spencer has revealed that he does not see a return to his native New Zealand any time soon.
Spencer is currently the assistant coach to John Mitchell at the Lions and told New Zealand Herald’s website that he has made his mind up not to return to Auckland for good after he left their shores to further his rugby career in Britain.
He has played 35 Tests for the All Blacks, his last coming in 2004 against Australia, admits that although he is happy, he does have a few regrets.
"To be honest, I've got no ambition to come back to New Zealand. I do have regrets, obviously - family, friends. My kids don't get to see their grandparents that often.
"But to come back to New Zealand, for me now, I'd probably find it too small, to be honest ... The future for me will either be in South Africa, or if it's not there, it will be back in the UK," he said.
Spencer said he has lost around 8kg and is feeling as fit as ever.
"As you get older you start slowing down and getting tired quicker. I've definitely been fitter, but the way I look and the way I feel, I'm probably in the best shape I've been in for years."
Spencer was renowned for turning up to his Auckland practice sessions in his Harley-Davidson, but says that his wild days are behind him, thanks mostly to the local traffic conditions in Johannesburg.
"I haven't done that for years, actually, bro. The roads are a bit dangerous over in Joburg. There are a few crazy drivers, especially the taxi drivers."
Mitchell and Spencer have been lauded after guiding the revived Lions to overcame their poor Super 14 form and beat the Sharks in the Currie Cup final this year.
But Spencer said he held no great ambitions to become a head coach, and was currently thinking through what he would do once his three year contract with the Lions was up.
He is considering gaining some business experience in South Africa.
Spencer is currently the assistant coach to John Mitchell at the Lions and told New Zealand Herald’s website that he has made his mind up not to return to Auckland for good after he left their shores to further his rugby career in Britain.
He has played 35 Tests for the All Blacks, his last coming in 2004 against Australia, admits that although he is happy, he does have a few regrets.
"To be honest, I've got no ambition to come back to New Zealand. I do have regrets, obviously - family, friends. My kids don't get to see their grandparents that often.
"But to come back to New Zealand, for me now, I'd probably find it too small, to be honest ... The future for me will either be in South Africa, or if it's not there, it will be back in the UK," he said.
Spencer said he has lost around 8kg and is feeling as fit as ever.
"As you get older you start slowing down and getting tired quicker. I've definitely been fitter, but the way I look and the way I feel, I'm probably in the best shape I've been in for years."
Spencer was renowned for turning up to his Auckland practice sessions in his Harley-Davidson, but says that his wild days are behind him, thanks mostly to the local traffic conditions in Johannesburg.
"I haven't done that for years, actually, bro. The roads are a bit dangerous over in Joburg. There are a few crazy drivers, especially the taxi drivers."
Mitchell and Spencer have been lauded after guiding the revived Lions to overcame their poor Super 14 form and beat the Sharks in the Currie Cup final this year.
But Spencer said he held no great ambitions to become a head coach, and was currently thinking through what he would do once his three year contract with the Lions was up.
He is considering gaining some business experience in South Africa.
