Bryn Evans

Bryn Evans came from relative obscurity in 2009 to win two test caps in the early part of the international season, his sudden promotion being due in part to injuries to some of the leading locks, notably Ali Williams and Anthony Boric. Evans selection caught many of the media pundits and most of the public by surprise.

“Where on earth has Bryn Evans come from?” exclaimed one writer when his selection was revealed. Locks, of course, are sometimes overlooked whenever matches are being analysed, and often what they achieve in their core roles can be missed.

At Napier Boys High School, Evans had been quickly identified as a likely prospect, winning national schools honours in 2002 and playing in the next two years, while still a teenager for Hawkes Bay. But until his unexpected call-up to the All Blacks he had become a provincial journeyman, even if for the Bay he had been a wholehearted one. His only other national selection had been in 2005 when, with the Bay still in the NPC second division, he had made the New Zealand Divisional side for its two matches in Fiji.

So there was some justification for the general bewilderment which greeted Evans’ rise. In 2008 he had been chosen from the draft for the Blues in that years Super 14. But he had received just three matches, all of which had been as a replacement.

With the Hurricanes in 2009 he fared a little better, but he was still mainly a bench-warmer, with only three starts in his 11 appearances. In 2008, though, when the Magpies made the NPC semi-finals, Evans had made a favourable impression, both with his mobility around the field and his aerial skills, in lineouts and in taking and contesting kickoffs.

His involvement with the All Blacks proved to be brief. He replaced Isaac Ross for the last eight minutes of the 27-22 loss to France in Dunedin and for the last 14 minutes in the 14-10 win over France in Wellington. He was again on the bench against Italy in Christchurch, but was not used. The return from injury of Jason Eaton and Boric and the introduction of Tom Donnelly meant he was excluded from the end-of-year tour.

Evans got considerably more game time with the Hurricanes in 2010, but in 2011 any slim chance he had of regaining an All Black jersey was lost when he was barely used in the Super 15, as he was rated behind Eaton, Jeremy Thrush and James Broadhurst. He received just one game, and that a mere four-minute cameo, leaving him with 28 appearances in Super rugby.

Evans’ best rugby was with Hawkes Bay and before leaving to join London Irish in the United Kingdom he played another nine matches for the Magpies, to bring his provincial caps to 77 and his New Zealand first class appearances to 109.