Nick Evans

Nick Evans was a talented, skillful back who, for a variety of reasons none of which were of his making, probably didn’t quite gain the international recognition he deserved.

As a first five eighths he had the ill luck to be a contemporary of one of the best New Zealand and the world has ever seen in the position, Daniel Carter. And both at provincial and international levels most of his coaches and selectors often appeared to have difficulty deciding whether he was better suited to either first five or fullback.

It was an accurate summary of the pattern of his career that of the 16 test caps he won between 2004 and 2007 there was an even split between those he started and those from which he came on as a replacement. Ten of his appearances, too, were at first five and the other six as a fullback.

Evans was also unusual in that he made a relatively late entry into national systems, never making any representative sides until chosen for North Harbour at colts level. He never made a national age group or secondary school sides.

He attended Westlake Boys High School on Auckland’s North Shore, one of three brilliant first fives who played for that school’s first XV, the others being Frano Botica in the early 80s and a year or so after Evans, Luke McAlister.

But as a teenager Evans was as interested in Australian Rules as in rugby and after playing in a national age group side in that sport he attracted the attention of some AFL scouts in Victoria. Some of the skills Evans exhibited so effortlessly later in rugby clearly owed much to his Rules background.

Playing extensively in sevens was another boost to Evans’ rugby fortunes. After making the highly rated Harbour sevens squad for national tournaments, Evans was included in Gordon Tietjens’ national side for 2002, playing in eight international events including Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, he missed the cut for that year’s Commonwealth Games. Instead he used some of the expertise he had gained in sevens to make an impression for Harbour in the 2002 NPC. Both in that season and his provincial debut year in 2001, when he usually a reserve, he was used mainly as an outside back, either at fullback or the wing.

An excellent 2003 season saw him win a Super 12 contract for 2004, but the excess of riches in the Blues franchise meant that this was in the draft with the Highlanders. Evans was still being seen mainly as a fullback in these years and after playing well for the Highlanders he was rewarded with All Black selection, also in 2004.

He had two starts, against England and Argentina, as a fullback, and came on from the bench for the second of the tests against England and Pacific Islanders. During the 2004 NPC he moved to first five, with Harbour’s other promising young back McAlister being used more at second.

Evans played with distinction in the 10 jersey, again in the 2005 Super 12, with the Highlanders, but was not chosen again for the All Blacks until the short end of year tour when he was a late replacement for an injured McAlister. He started two of the internationals, against Ireland, when he scored 20 points, and Scotland when he scored 12.

By now Evans was widely seen as the country’s second best first five, behind Carter. But injury halfway through the 2006 season, plus the availability in the five eighths of McAlister and Aaron Mauger, meant his 2006 international appearances were confined to the end of season tour when against France and Wales he was used as a late substitute from the bench for Carter.

Through all of the 2007 season, including the World Cup, Evans was the regular understudy for Carter. In one of the cup pool matches Evans scored 33 points with a try and 14 conversions against Portugal and, indeed, with Carter clearly affected by injury, there may have been a case for an in-form Evans starting the controversial quarter-final against France. Evans did take the field for the final quarter and appeared to be adding some needed zest when he, too, was injured.

That brief cameo proved to be the last of Evans’ All Black appearances. For the 2008 Super 14 he returned to the Auckland region under contract to the Auckland union and played for the Blues, starting at first five for much of the campaign but returning to his old spot at fullback for the last few matches.

Despite being effective for the Blues, with 150 points in his 12 games, Evans was overlooked for the All Blacks, after confirming an overseas contract. Without ever appearing for Auckland, Evans left for overseas, having made 126 first class appearances for 838 points. His 16 tests brought him 103 points. Evans was not yet 28 when he departed New Zealand rugby, still appearing to have plenty to offer, despite the frustration of being behind Carter.