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‘Wife thinks I’m an idiot’: ex-All Black Spencer returns to ring

Carlos Spencer (L) leads the New Zealand team’s “haka” ahead of their rugby World Cup semi-final match against Australia at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, 15 November 2003. Australia won the match 22-10 and will play either England or France in the final 22 November. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Nick LAHAM

AFP

Former All Blacks star Carlos Spencer will return to the boxing ring on Thursday, but admitted it was a hard fight to convince his wife about his latest charity bout.

The 46-year-old will face ex-New Zealand rugby league star Paul Whatuira, 40, over three rounds in Auckland in a ‘Fight for Life’ charity event. 

“This one was always going to be hard getting it across the line with my wife,” Spencer told news site Stuff.co.nz.

“This is the last thing she thinks I should be doing.

“She thinks I’m bloody mad and I’m a bloody idiot, but I managed to convince her that I’ll be fine and it is for a great cause, after all.”

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Spencer will be back in the ring after previous charity bouts against ex-league players Awen Guttenbeil, Jarrod McCracken and most recently Monty Betham, his only defeat, in 2014.

Spencer retired from rugby in 2010 having made 44 appearances and scoring 383 points for New Zealand.

He has just returned from the USA after a stint as assistant coach to Major League Rugby side New Orleans Gold.

“I’ve only been back in New Zealand for four weeks,” Spencer told the New Zealand Herald.

“It’s about learning to box again rather than conditioning.

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“I’ve put on weight — I’m normally around 84kg, but I’ve put on six kilos in three weeks, to get a bit more power behind my punches.”

Like many fellow New Zealanders, Spencer was dismayed to see the All Blacks lose the home series to Ireland after a 32-22 defeat in last Saturday’s third Test in Wellington.

“They’ve become a bit predictable on attack,” Spencer said of the All Blacks.

“With the players we’ve got, that should never happen.

“Whereas the northern teams used to be a few steps behind us, they are a step ahead now I think.

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“Ireland have good variety to their game and play an exciting brand -– I enjoy watching them.”

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Central America

Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano ends eruption after forcing hundreds to evacuate

The Fuego volcano, located near Guatemala’s capital, concluded an eruption on Friday (June 6, 2025) that lasted more than 30 hours and forced the evacuation of nearly 800 people, according to the National Institute of Seismology (Insivumeh).

The eruption began Wednesday night, sending plumes of ash and smoke over 7,000 meters into the sky and triggering pyroclastic flows — fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter — down its slopes.

“The activity of the Fuego volcano has decreased significantly,” Insivumeh reported in a bulletin, adding that “it is possible to declare the eruption over.”

The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) stated that transportation will be made available for the families currently in shelters so they can return to their homes.

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International

Pope Leo XIV blesses Giro d’Italia riders in Vatican Ceremony

Pope Leo XIV offered his blessing to the Giro d’Italia peloton, presenting the riders as “role models for all the youth in the world,” as the cyclists passed through Vatican City during the 21st and final stage of the race on Sunday.

Riders pedaled at a slow pace through the famous gardens of the world’s smallest state during the neutralized start of the last stage.

Leo XIV was presented with a replica of the iconic pink jersey—the “maglia rosa” worn by the race leader—by Urbano Cairo, owner of RCS Sport, the Giro’s organizing company.

The cyclists stopped to greet the pontiff, and the four wearers of the race’s distinctive jerseys, including race leader Simon Yates and Mexican rider Isaac del Toro, best young rider, dismounted their bikes to shake hands with him.

“Welcome to the Vatican. I’m pleased to greet you on this final stage of the Giro; I hope it will be a beautiful day for everyone,” Pope Leo XIV said in a brief address.

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“You are role models for all the youth of the world—not just in Italy—because cycling is one of the most important sports in the world,” added the first American pope in history, before offering his blessing to the riders.

The Giro previously passed through the Vatican in 1974 and 2000. This year’s route through the Vatican was initially planned as part of the Jubilee celebrations—a holy year held every 25 years when pilgrims from around the globe visit the city—but later became a tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

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International

Ronaldo confirms departure from Al Nassr as contract nears end

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Monday that his “chapter” with the Saudi team Al Nassr has “ended,” in a message posted following the final round of the Saudi Arabian league.

“This chapter has come to an end. The story? It’s still being written. Thank you all,” the superstar wrote on his Instagram account, accompanying the message with a photo of himself wearing the Riyadh club’s jersey. His contract with Al Nassr was set to expire in the northern hemisphere summer of 2025.

The 40-year-old forward finished the season as the league’s top scorer, netting 24 goals.

His announcement comes after FIFA confirmed a special transfer window from June 1 to June 10 to allow the 32 clubs participating in the Club World Cup (June 14 to July 13 in the United States) to sign new players for the tournament.

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