Evans takes it one step at a time

Nick Evans kicks for goal during the NPC semifinal between Canterbury and Otago in Christchurch last week. Ross Land / Getty Images

Nick Evans says he will not be crying into his pillow if his name is omitted from the All Blacks Grand Slam tour squad tomorrow.

He'll just go fishing for the summer.

His pace and line-breaking ability are second to none in the country, his goal-kicking has improved, and his defence - supposedly a weak point - was magnificent in the semifinal against Canterbury.

They are all reasons Evans should make his first All Black tour and get the opportunity to add to the four caps he earned in 2004 as a fullback.

But the effervescent playmaker was at peace with his chances and said he would be able to cope if he did not make the trip.

"I don't think I'll be disappointed. I mean, I'd love to be there, but at the moment I'm concentrating on Otago and helping them win the final.

"Whatever happens on Sunday, I'll be okay. You're either there or you're not. I'll either be heading overseas or going somewhere for a break and doing some fishing.

"But I'm sure there will be a few guys that come from this team. We work together well and those are the sort of guys the All Blacks want."

A few weeks ago, Evans was not exactly on top of the world. His Super 12 season was blighted by injury and he failed to shine consistently for the Highlanders.

But his confidence has grown with each game, to the point where he can look back on his decision to transfer to Otago - because he wanted to specialise at first five-eighths - with some satisfaction.

"I'm happy. The thing I needed was to get plenty of games at first-five.

"I've got on top of injuries and I've come back and I think I've had a pretty good NPC.

"I'm not trying to be flashy. I've just been doing what I need to do for the team and helping other guys do their job."

Evans has been delighted at the emergence of his Otago and former North Harbour team-mate Chris Smylie at halfback.

Smylie was the classic example of a talented rugby player making the most of his opportunity, he said.

Evans was still trying to lift his goal-kicking accuracy but was running at about 75 per cent.

As for Otago, he is adamant the over-achieving side can continue to defy the critics and beat Auckland at Eden Park.

"I think we definitely had belief that we could make the semifinals. That was our main goal," Evans said.

"But you don't come out at the start of the season and say you're going to make the final because you look like an idiot. People would laugh at you.

"But we believed we were good enough, and after that game against Canterbury, I think everyone knows it. It was out of the top shelf, a pretty outstanding performance. We know what we can do and we have the belief we can do it again."

- NZPA