KEY POINTS:
Occasional All Black five-eighths Nick Evans wants to decide on his rugby future before the end of the Super 14 regardless of what his rival Daniel Carter chooses to do with his career.
While Evans maintains it is a toss up between staying in New Zealand or collecting a lucrative contract in Europe, the growing vibes are that he will join the exodus of leading sporting talent.
The strongest indication is that Evans will join the Harlequins club in London where another celebrated All Black five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens continued his career about the same time in 2004 that Evans began his in the black jersey.
Evans has played 16 tests but started in only five because Carter has had a mortgage on the position since he was switched to that role on the 2004 end of year tour to Europe.
Both players are tipped to make Europe their next rugby stop although the New Zealand Rugby Union has apparently offered Carter a special deal that would allow him a sabbatical overseas while still on contract.
NZRU professional services manager Neil Sorensen confirmed the offer and that similar deals would be offered to only a select group of marquee All Blacks as the union battled the player drain. Sources suggested Carter was in no hurry to make any decision but Evans was more forthright yesterday as speculation increased about the number of Blues players heading offshore.
Isa Nacewa has confirmed his exit, captain Troy Flavell all but said he was off to Japan, Daniel Braid is monitoring his out-clause, Nick Williams and Ben Atiga are set to hit the offshore paydirt and coach David Nucifora is to return to Australia.
Meanwhile Evans said he would not be influenced by Carter's decision.
"I can't live my life waiting to see what another guy does," he said.
"Making the All Blacks or not will not impact on my decision. The longer I push it out the worse it will be. I would rather make a decision on my future - whether it is in New Zealand or overseas - I would rather get it done and get it behind me.
"It is difficult, it is your life but it does not churn me up, I don't think it affects my rugby. I have been around long enough for it not to get to me. It might be harder for younger guys. It comes down to putting things on a positive and negative chart.
"I am 28 this year, 31 at the next World Cup you know I have to take all those things into consideration. I enjoy playing rugby in New Zealand so it is hard to weigh it up against something which is foreign. It is a tough decision but I have to put a decision on it and that is sooner rather than later."
Evans said the uncertainty about the New Zealand rugby scene had to be balanced against playing in Europe, an observation which hinted at his preference for the commercial offshore security. Flavell has made a similar judgement, apparently about another deal in Japan.
"I am just negotiating a deal at the moment, so nothing is finalised yet but I will let you know," he said.
"I've been around for a little while now and getting a bit long in the tooth I suppose and it's time to move on I guess."
