Mitchell calls on the All Blacks to axe Spencer

14 April 2012

John Mitchell, dumped as All Blacks coach after the failed World Cup campaign, is calling for the axing of outside-half Carlos Spencer before the summer's two Tests with England.

Mitchell wants Daniel Carter to be given the No10 jersey on the basis that the All Blacks have to start building for the 2007 World Cup in France.

He is confident the move would work as the former England assistant coach does not believe Clive Woodward's World Cup winners will be the same force on tour in June.

Jonny Wilkinson and Phil Vickery are injured while Neil Back and Martin Johnson have retired and Mitchell insists the England side "won't be that great".

He then attempted to put pressure on new coach Graham Henry by saying: "We've got better talent than anywhere else in the world, we just need to develop it.

"I'd have Daniel Carter at No10. Carlos is a wonderful talent but he has shown at the highest level a tendency to premeditate his attack and I don't think you could train that out of him.

"You've got to start building three years out from the next World Cup."

Meanwhile, Alain Rolland will take charge of the London Wasps versus Toulouse Heineken Cup Final.

The French-speaking Irish official was on duty for England's Six Nations loss to France.

Welshman Nigel Whitehouse, who has refereed seven major internationals, including Italy's 20-14 victory over Scotland in Rome in March, will be in charge of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final when Montferrand clash with NEC Harlequins at the Madejski Stadium on 22 May.

This will be Whitehouse's second final. He took charge of the same match in 2001 when Quins beat Narbonne 42-33 in extra time.

MORE ABOUT

All Blacks

Jonny Wilkinson

Martin Johnson

Phil Vickery

Mitchell calls on the All Blacks to axe Spencer

Read More