KEY POINTS:
Harmony within the Blues Super 14 franchise will be tested in the coming months with both Harbour and Auckland expected to bid for Nick Evans.
The All Black first five-eighths has announced he will not play for Otago next season and has returned to his family home on the North Shore.
Although he is contracted with the New Zealand Rugby Union through to 2008, he is understood to have a release clause that will allow him to leave New Zealand after the World Cup.
There has been interest from overseas clubs and Evans has said he will make a decision about his future after he knows whether he has made the All Black World Cup squad which is announced on July 22.
If he misses out he will play for Otago during the Air New Zealand Cup and then make a choice between heading overseas or signing with Auckland or North Harbour.
Evans has previously played for Harbour and, having been educated at Westlake Boys' High School, has emotional ties to his former province.
Auckland, though, are without a proven first five and in previous seasons have used Tasesa Lavea (who is moving to Counties) and the promising Lachie Munro. Isa Nacewa is another capable No 10 but looks better suited to wider berths.
While Auckland have the deeper pockets it's probable that, if Evans were to commit to Harbour, the Blues franchise would help the union top up the pivot's pay packet - as they have done with Luke McAlister.
Both provinces will recognise that Evans is unlikely to feature much in provincial colours given his status as back-up first five to Daniel Carter.
The Blues will be the main focus for Evans which is why, if he chooses to stay in the region, both Harbour and Auckland will have to reach an agreement that works for both the player and the franchise.
There is no question that news of Evans' possible involvement with the franchise next season will be warmly received by coach David Nucifora.
The Australian has been linked with the vacant Queensland job but is thought to be keen to stay in Auckland and accept the two-year contract the franchise is understood to have already offered.
He has indicated that the soon-to-be vacant Wallaby job would be of interest but with incumbent John Connolly not standing down until after the World Cup, Nucifora will need to commit with the Blues and then worry about that further down the track.
The Blues struggled in 2006, Nucifora's first year in charge, but reached the semifinals this year in a markedly improved campaign where it was apparent many of the deficiencies had been fixed.
One of the problem areas that still hasn't been mended is the presence of a tactically astute first five with a long-kicking game.
Evans could be the final piece in the jigsaw for the Blues and give them the ability to play in all conditions, something they weren't able to do this season.
An announcement on Nucifora's future as well as assistant coach Joe Schmidt, who has been linked to French club Clermont, is expected in the not too distant future.
