Carter factor didn't influence Evans
Tue, 06 May 2008 09:58
Best in the business: Dan Carter
All Black Nick Evans has said that Dan Carter played no role in his decision to turn is back on the New Zealand Rugby and sign for Harlequins until 2011.
The Blues playmaker said he appreciates the irony of the situation but Carter did not factor in to his decision.
Evans has played second fiddle to Carter more most of his career, but with Carter expected to head to Europe at the end of the year, it would open up the door for Evans to establish himself as New Zealand's premier No.10.
But Evans made a decision that he said was best for him.
"I don't know what he's [Carter] doing to be honest," Evans told rugbyheaven.co.nz.
"It never really came into my mind or factored into any of my decisions. I made a decision based on what's going to be best for me and what was a good time for me to go," he stated.
But Evans conceded Carter's had been a big shadow to play under since making his test debut back in 2004. He has appeared in just 16 tests over that time.
"I blame my mum for that, having me just when he came around," joked Evans.
"It's tough when you're up against the best in the world. But I'm really proud of what I've achieved in New Zealand, especially being behind a class player like Dan.
"He's a top bloke and the best in the world and you can't take that away from him. I think I've done pretty well. I did the best I can for a skinny white guy, as my mates say," he quipped.
Asked how hard the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) tried to keep him in the country, Evans made it clear they couldn't match the offer from Harlequins, which was the best of a handful he had on the table.
"They definitely put some offers on the table and we went through and talked about some possibilities of staying. [But] it really just came down to me putting a positives and negatives column up at home and ticking the boxes and working out what was best for me." he said.
Evans also said he'd spoken to All Blacks coach Graham Henry who had made it clear that he wanted him to stay.
"I took on board what he had to say but in the end it was my decision," said a forthright Evans.
"It basically came down to what I thought was best for me, at 28, where I was, how my rugby was, and what I wanted to do with going overseas.
"Rugby allows me to do that, see a bit of the world, experience things a lot of my mates have been doing.
"It's a great opportunity to go over there and I'd probably be a fool if didn't take it," he added.
Evans is contracted to NZRU through until the end of the 2008 season, though he admits the early announcement of his departure could harm his prospects of All Blacks selection for the upcoming programme.
"I sat down and thought about that for a while," he admitted.
"But for myself I just wanted to get it done, out of the way, and it's up to the selectors to make those decisions. I didn't want to hide it and spring it later on for my own benefit," he said.
He also shrugged off suggestions he could be available for the 2011 World Cup back in New Zealand, saying the period of his Harlequins contract just happened to end on June 31 of World Cup year.
Evans said it's possible he could leave earlier, depending on what the All Blacks selectors wanted, but did say: "I'd love to stay here and see out my New Zealand contract right to the end."
The former Otago and North Harbour provincial star also said he would leave the New Zealand game with his head held high when it came to his achievements in the game.
"The All Blacks jersey has always been my dream and I've never taken it for granted," said Evans.
"It's why I'm very proud of what I've achieved in New Zealand rugby. I would have loved to have played more but it's been a dream come true to wear the All Black jersey," he added.
Evans also shrugged off suggestions that he, and in the bigger picture Carter, would leave holes that New Zealand rugby would struggle to fill.
"This happened when Mehrts [Andrew Mehrtens] and Carlos [Spencer] went overseas, and it wasn't long before Dan Carter, the best in the world, stepped up and took their position. There's some outstanding talent in this country," he noted.
