Evans nearly one that got away

EDINBURGH - Nick Evans drank at the All Blacks' last chance saloon in the past month and showed he deserves to be bought several more rounds next season.

The Otago fullback-turned-first five-eighth got his chance at Grand Slam glory with the late injury withdrawal of Luke McAlister, and wore No 10 against Ireland and Scotland as Daniel Carter's understudy.

Aside from minor blemishes - a dropped pass and a sliced clearance in the second half of their 29-10 win at Murrayfield - Evans will fly home for some fishing with a contented grin.

"I thought I went all right, a few handling lapses here and there but that comes with the greasy ball. I'd give myself a pass mark," Evans said.

"In this situation you've got to play as well as you can every game. I thought I played pretty well in Ireland and today, they [coaches] were happy with my performance.

"Just don't forget me."

With captain Tana Umaga's potential retirement, a possible shift by McAlister to the No 12 jersey next season would re-open the World Cup squad door for Evans, 25 and playing in his sixth test yesterday.

The selectors had told Evans he needed to work on his vision and ability to direct play in the No 10 jersey and he showed he had taken the comments on board.

There was no better illustration than in the All Blacks' second and third tries - one of which Evans scored himself and the other which wouldn't have happened without him.

Evans' try came after endless phases and slick passing involving most of the forwards. Conrad Smith straightened and from the next ruck Evans strolled over under the posts.

Then in the 33rd minute, 10m out from his own line, Evans burst through a gap, linked up, then from the ruck sent a pinpoint crosskick for fullback Isaia Toeava, James Ryan juggled an in-pass then slapped the ball back for Sione Lauaki to score.

"It all happened so quickly but it's all about taking opportunities when they come," Evans said.

For a player who was about to pack his fishing rod when he got the late call to come on tour, Evans could now reflect on being part of history.

"When I'm 60 or 70, sitting down at the RSA telling stories of this day, that's when it'll probably come into context."

- NZPA