KEY POINTS:
The completion of a refresher course under the gaze of the All Blacks kicking coach has Nick Evans poised to return to rugby's Super 14 in Auckland on Friday night.
The eight-test All Black gave his injured right leg a workout in Dunedin today under the supervision of kicking guru Mick Byrne in what looms as the last step in a rehabilitation programme that has sidelined the Highlanders playmaker for the first month of the series.
Providing first five-eighth Evans, 26, reports no ill effects tomorrow he will be calling the shots against the table-topping Blues.
Highlanders coach Greg Cooper was optimistic the injury-prone Evans would be available for the match although considering Evans last played a serious game on November 26 in Cardiff, he was not predicting miracles on a ground that traditionally resembles a graveyard for Dunedin teams.
"We don't want to put too much pressure on Nick. My advice to him is just to play his game and get some quality time out there," Cooper said.
Cooper was confident Evans would last 80 minutes despite a lack of match practice since a damaged tibia and fibia were added to Evans' catalogue of career interruptions.
"Nick's looked after himself really well, he's upped his running and has done contact training," Cooper said.
Testing his agility and his ability to change direction at pace was the final piece of the rehab jigsaw to fall into place subject to a final clearance.
Despite his lack of match fitness Evans looms as an imperative as the Highlanders seek just their second win on Eden Park in seven attempts.
His appearance will also spare Cooper having to convert Southland fullback James Wilson, a member of the wider training group, to first-five role after Charlie Hore damaged ribs during the 35-24 victory over the Stormers in Dunedin last Saturday.
That five-point haul raised spirits after a tough opening schedule saw the Highlanders visit Perth, Johannesburg and Durban before returning home.
Evans or not, Cooper was under no illusions at the challenge posed by a Blues team just three points ahead of them on the standings.
"The Blues are probably the in- form side of the competition and they don't seem to have been affected by the conditioning All Blacks," Cooper said, noting Saimone Taumoepeau and Derren Witcombe were more than adequate fill-ins for Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock.
A Blues backline missing Joe Rokocoko has also caught the eye, especially during the 38-13 win over the Reds last weekend.
Lumbered with a distinct lack of class out wide, the Reds deliberately employed a forwards-dominated strategy - the same game plan the Highlanders had sought to implement in the absence of Evans, Glen Horton and Vili Waqaseduadua.
"We had one of the most inexperienced backlines in the history of the competition, we didn't have much choice (than to play conservatively)," Cooper said.
With Horton and Waqaseduadua back in action last week - and Evans scripted to return - the Highlanders appear equipped to play more expansively.
Blues coach David Nucifora certainly expects the Highlanders to give the ball some air.
"They showed last week there is another side to their game," he said.
"For the first three games they didn't have the strike power in the backline but they had two of the three back last week and Evans this week.
"I expect them to have a go at us."
- NZPA
