Good Evans, another hot No 10

Nick Evans

It took only one touch of the ball for Nick Evans to leave his mark on the game, an 80m scamper in for the opening points of the game, but leaving a lasting impression is something the first five-eighth is doing a lot of these days.

While it might not have been his best performance in a Highlanders jersey this season, more a symptom of the fact he was playing in a beaten side, Evans could well find himself in the All Blacks mix as the Lions descend on these shores in June.

The 24-year-old first five-eighth has been in dazzling form at pivot for the Highlanders this season and has signalled that, along with Daniel Carter and Luke McAlister, there are more than a couple of pretty useful No 10s ready to step into the boots of long-time servants Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer.

With Spencer having already reportedly signed for English side Northampton, and Mehrtens likely to follow him to the UK, Evans is looming as a real contender for the All Blacks to take on the Lions.

His well-rounded game complete with penetrating runs, prodigious punts and deft passing is sure to have caught the eye of more than just the New Zealand sporting public, and All Blacks assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen were in attendance last night.

Evans, though, knows it's a dangerous game looking too far ahead and predicting the future. After all, he missed out on an All Blacks jersey for the northern hemisphere tour last spring following his four appearances for Graham Henry's side playing at fullback.

"Whatever happens, happens," he says less than revealingly. "You'd lie if you didn't say you had it in the back of your mind, but it's the old cliche that you have to take each week as it comes. First and foremost I need to get this Highlanders team back in contention for the semis.

"It was a great move for me to come down here. I enjoyed my footy up in North Harbour, but down here they create a culture where they let you be yourself and play the game that you want to play. I've just been reaping the rewards."

The game he's been able to play has been as first choice first five-eighths, something he couldn't guarantee if he had stayed with the Blues. He has grown into a mature footballer, and also offers the All Blacks another string to his bow as a more than useful goalkicker.

"Definitely 10," he says when asked what position he sees his future. "I make no bones about where I would like to play and that's at 10 - but I certainly wouldn't turn down the 15 jersey for the All Blacks."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY