Things happen when Spencer is around. A mercurial talent, he returned to the All Blacks scene in 2003 after featuring sparingly in the time since his stunning debut season in 1997.

With competition for the black No 10 jersey stiffer than ever before, Spencer's stock as waned during the 2005 Super 12 campaign - but expect him to be back to his best for the Lions.

Only two players have scored more Test points for New Zealand than Spencer, Grant Fox and Andrew Mehrtens. He was the equal fastest to 100 Test points taking just five games - he shares the record with countrymen Mehrtens and Simon Culhane.

He is one of a small group of players still playing who featured in the first ever Super 12 match between the Blues and the Hurricanes in 1996 (Tana Umaga is another).

He played age-group rugby alongside Christian Cullen in the Horowhenua before he was lured to Auckland by current All Blacks coach Graham Henry after starring in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland.

Spencer was a finalist in International Rugby Players Associations player of the year award and won Super 12 and Maori player of the year titles at the Steinlager New Zealand Rugby Awards in 2003.