Payton Spencer
{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Payton Spencer
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|04|23|df=y}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ultimaterugby.com/payton-spencer |title=Payton Spencer|accessdate=8 April 2024|website=Ultimate Rugby}}
| birth_place =
| height = {{convert|1.91|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|95|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school = Hamilton Boys' High School
| university =
| relatives = Carlos Spencer (father)
| position = Full back
| currentclub = {{Rut|Auckland}}
| years1 = 2022–
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Auckland}}
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| repyears1 =
| repteam1 =
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| clubupdate = 8 April 2024
| repupdate =
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2023–
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = New Zealand
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =
| ru_sevensupdate =
}}
Payton Spencer (born 23 April 2004) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a full back. He plays for {{Rut|Auckland}} and the New Zealand national sevens team.
Early and personal life
He is the son of Jodene and New Zealand rugby international Carlos Spencer.{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/01/17/how-teenage-prodigy-payton-spencer-became-nz-sevens-latest-gifted-signing/|website=Sen.com.au|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= HOW TEENAGE PRODIGY PAYTON SPENCER BECAME NZ SEVENS’ LATEST “GIFTED” SIGNING|first=Alex|last=Dunn}} He lived in England between 2005 and 2010 when his dad was playing for Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby.{{cite web|website=Ruck|accessdate=8 April 2024|url=https://www.ruck.co.uk/son-of-all-blacks-legend-carlos-spencer-signs-first-professional-contract/|title= Son of All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer signs first professional contract|date=4 November 2022}}
He later attended Hamilton Boys' High School.{{cite web|url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-sevens-sign-exciting-new-talent/|website=Allblacks.com|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= ALL BLACKS SEVENS SIGN EXCITING NEW TALENT|date=17 January 2023}} Playing for their First XV, he helped them to the National First XV Championship and then the World Schools Championship in Thailand in December 2022, beating South African school Grey's College in the final.{{cite web |accessdate=8 April 2024 |date=January 31, 2023 |first=Nathan |last=Williamson |title=Payton Spencer crafting his own name after dream Sevens debut |url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/payton-spencer-crafting-his-own-name-after-dream-sevens-debut-2023131 |website=Rugby.com.au}} {{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/131044179/carlos-spencers-son-payton-named-in-all-blacks-sevens-squad-for-sydney|accessdate=8 April 2024|website=Stuff.co.nz|title= Carlos Spencer's son Payton named in All Blacks Sevens squad for Sydney|date=January 23, 2023}}
Career
Also a keen cricketer in his youth, he played as an all-rounder in his high school’s first XI cricket team and represented the Black Caps as a substitute fielder in 2020. He also excelled at rugby union as a teenager, playing as a full back. In November 2022, he signed a professional contract with Super Rugby side Blues.{{cite web|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/01/rugby-sevens-payton-spencer-son-of-ex-all-blacks-carlos-commits-to-nz-sevens-programme.amp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408085325/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/01/rugby-sevens-payton-spencer-son-of-ex-all-blacks-carlos-commits-to-nz-sevens-programme.amp.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 April 2024|website=News Hub|title= Rugby Sevens: Payton Spencer, son of ex-All Blacks Carlos, commits to NZ sevens programme|date=17 January 2023|first=Alex|last=Powell|access-date=8 April 2024}} https://rugby365.com/countries/new-zealand/son-of-carlos-spencers-signs-super-rugby-contract/
In January 2023, he agreed a two-year contract with the New Zealand national rugby sevens team side.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-carlos-spencers-teenage-son-payton-among-new-all-blacks-sevens-signings/63LQRPEALZFJPEZJLLQQT6SKNE/|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= Rugby: Carlos Spencer’s teenage son Payton among new All Blacks Sevens signings|website=NZ Herald|date=16 January 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/130988544/carlos-spencers-son-payton-among-new-signings-for-all-blacks-sevens-squad|website=Stuff.co.nz|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= Carlos Spencer's son Payton among new signings for All Blacks Sevens squad|date=16 June 2023}} He made his debut on 27 January 2023 and scored two tries against Uruguay.{{cite web|url=https://www.planetrugby.com/news/watch-carlos-spencers-son-payton-shows-his-class-with-try-on-debut-for-new-zealand-sevens|website=Planet Rugby|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= WATCH: Carlos Spencer’s son, Payton, shows his class with try on debut for New Zealand Sevens|first=Adam|last=Kyriacou|date=27 January 2023}}{{cite web|title=Payton Spencer, the heir to the throne|date=27 January 2024|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/payton-spencer%2C-the-heir-to-the-thrown/649807|website=Ultimate Rugby|accessdate=8 April 2024}} He played in the Sevens World Series as New Zealand won the Sydney Sevens, beating South Africa 38-0 in the final. {{cite web|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/rising-star-payton-spencer-sets-sights-on-olympics/|website=Rugby Pass|accessdate=8 April 2024|title= Rising star Payton Spencer sets sights on Olympics after 'special' final|first= Finn|last=Morton|date=29 January 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Blues squad}}
{{Auckland NPC squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spencer, Payton}}
Category:New Zealand international rugby union players
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Auckland rugby union players
Category:Rugby union fullbacks
Category:People educated at Hamilton Boys' High School