Evans signs for Quins
Mon, 05 May 2008 08:57
Heading north: All Black utility Nick Evans
Utility back Nick Evans is joining the exodus of All Blacks to Europe, after signing a contract to play with English club Harlequins - a move that could rule him out for the World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
Evans, who joined the Blues Super 14 franchise this year, is leaving New Zealand at the conclusion of this year's Air New Zealand Cup - a tournament in which he'll represent Auckland.
The 27-year-old Evans has signed a deal with the Guinness Premiership outfit, Quins, through to 30 June 2011.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the organisation had been in regular talks with Evans and his advisors since January this year in an effort to retain him.
"As we all know, Nick is an incredibly talented player and we were definitely keen to keep him playing here in New Zealand," Sorensen said.
"While we are disappointed to lose a player and person of his calibre we respect his decision and want to acknowledge his contribution to New Zealand rugby, and we wish him well over there," Sorensen added.
Evans made his All Black Test debut against England in Dunedin in 2004 and has since played in 16 Tests, scoring 103 points.
He also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, in 2002, and the inaugural Junior All Blacks team in 2005.
At Super 14 level Evans has played 32 games for the Highlanders and 10 games for the Blues this season, while at provincial level, he has played for North Harbour and Otago.
He has been in the shadow of star flyhalf Dan Carter and Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald have generally been preferred at fullback.
But with talk that Carter may take up a European contract, Evans would have been the leading contender to take his place.
A sizeable contingent of All Blacks have already signed for European clubs since last year's World Cup failure and there is talk several more will be lured by the big money on offer.
The New Zealand Rugby Union is sticking by its policy of picking only New Zealand-based players for the All Blacks, saying the lure of the black jersey is the only thing stopping the outflow of players turning into a flood.
