Rugby: Evans upbeat over northern exposure

Nick Evans describes this season as a success, but doesn't rule out a return to the All Blacks for the World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

The growing appeal and style of Northern Hemisphere rugby remains an attraction to New Zealand's best players, says former All Black Nick Evans.

As Evans wrapped up his first season with London club Harlequins, he reflected on the continuing growth of the game north of the equator, a situation that contrasts hugely with recent events in the Southern Hemisphere.

Incredibly, the two recent Heineken Cup semifinals, which attracted a total of 126,000 paying spectators, out-sold the two soccer Uefa Champions' League semifinals last week, Arsenal v Manchester and Chelsea v Barcelona, which drew 102,000. Such a stunning growth of interest in Northern Hemisphere rugby, says Evans, is partly explained by the improvement in playing styles.

"In New Zealand you get a quarter- or half-full stadiums, but here, there are some great stadiums and they get sold out. The support has been absolutely amazing.

"I don't know the exact reason for that. Whether it's just a change in people's perception of rugby, or the fact that the marketing people have done a great job, I don't know. Or maybe people are getting sick of football and want to watch something else.

"But the way the game is being played now up here by clubs like Harlequins, Bath and London Irish - a more expansive type of game - people definitely want to see that. It's pretty exciting rugby as teams have been trying to play with a lot more style and trying to score tries.

"The crowds have been one of the most impressive things about coming over here.

"We had 50,000 at Twickenham for one Guinness Premiership match and who knows, next time they might sell it out, all 80,000. I think all this will entice more guys over from the Southern Hemisphere. The Heineken Cup generates huge passion and interest. And the way the game is being played here will definitely entice them. Up here, the standard of rugby is getting better.

"I think a lot of the guys down in New Zealand will feel, why not come up here and experience something different."

Evans flew home this week for a month's break after a season in which he helped Harlequins make serious progress as a club. True, they lost in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup and semifinals of the Guinness Premiership last weekend. They have been without Evans for some key periods, too, due to injuries but their progress has still been significant.

"As a whole, the season has been a huge success for me," he said. "Frustrations are part of rugby and I've had some this season through injuries. But overall, I am ecstatic about the way I have gone. I wanted to come here and make an impact and I think I have done that.

"I have enjoyed the experience, it has been something new and different. Being able to play with new guys and different coaches has given me another jolt forward. Playing in the Heineken Cup was very special indeed and some of the memories I will take back will be with me forever."

Evans is looking forward to a break. He has struggled in recent weeks to throw off a couple of injuries and wasn't fully fit in Harlequins' Premiership semifinal last Sunday, which they lost to London Irish. "You have to try and give it a go in those circumstances but it was frustrating" he admitted. "Little niggles have kept me out for two or three weeks at a time here and there and yes, that has been frustrating."

He blames the cumulative effect of so much rugby for the injuries. He has not had a real break, a proper rest since the end of the last Rugby World Cup in November 2007, a spell of 18 months of pretty much non-stop rugby. Mentally as much as physically, such a lengthy period has taken its toll.

"It is a long time to play so physical a game. But I think that is a one-off. When you make the decision to come here, they want you to start as soon as possible. But that sort of long, unbroken period of playing will always catch up with you.

"Doing nothing for a month will do me the world of good."

The English Premiership is a very physical league, as Nick Evans has found out. "I always knew it would be tough but I'd say it's more physical than I was expecting. But that's great because the standard and physicality is what it should be. I have been very impressed with those standards in both the Heineken Cup and the Premiership. The levels are definitely right up there with the Southern Hemisphere."

Being based in London has given him a unique insight into the likely future strengths of English rugby. The old lady has been very sick in recent years with the close relations squabbling like cats over her inheritance.

Evans smiles and offers a pretty upbeat analysis of England's future. "I think England have a lot of good young players coming through. Whether they get to see them the way they select their squads I don't know. It's hard for young guys to shine because they pick their squads early.

"But from what I've seen around and especially at Harlequins, I think there are some genuine test match players coming through. These guys will be the future of English rugby, but maybe for the [2015] World Cup. This one in New Zealand might be a bit early for them."

The 2011 World Cup. Isn't the allure strong enough to entice players like Nick Evans back home in time to challenge for a place in the squad? He admits it was hard sitting and watching the All Blacks on their UK and Ireland tour last November. "I'd love to be there in New Zealand for the World Cup".

"But I made my decision and I think it's too early to think about things like that. I have another two seasons here with Harlequins and I am focusing on that. Maybe I'll make a decision midway through my last year here."

Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media