That 2007 match in Napier is notable not only for the upset, but the 10-week suspension Magpies prop Clint Newland copped for his knockout punch on All Blacks front-rower Neemia Tialata.
“After that, he went to the Highlanders and I don’t think he ever bought a beer. We were just Hawke’s Bay country boys and we managed to get one up. That’s one match I still remember.”
Evans made his Super Rugby debut off the bench at Ellis Park in 2008 but only played three games for the Blues that season. Little did he know his shift to the Hurricanes the following year would inspire his rapid accession to the All Blacks.
Stuck behind starting Hurricanes locks Jason Eaton and Jeremy Thrush, both of whom went on to play test rugby, Evans was content chipping away.
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“I’d only started a few games for the Hurricanes and had got used to a bench role that season. I was just trying to concentrate on making an impact when I came on and not trying to make too many errors.”
Earning selection for the Junior All Blacks and their Pacific Nations Cup tour was notable enough but when injuries hit incumbent test locks Anthony Boric and Ali Williams, Evans was straight on the plane to Auckland and soon sitting opposite Graham Henry.
In the age of social media speculation, enlarged All Blacks squads and apprentice players, the days of comparable selection bolters are now, largely, pastime phenomena.
“It was all a bit surreal but I was buzzing the whole time I was in that environment.”
Immediately named on the bench – behind starting locks Brad Thorn and Isaac Ross – for the first test of 2009 in the experimental Mils Muliaina-led All Blacks side against France in Dunedin, Evans had mixed emotions after the shock 27-22 defeat.
“You never want to lose, especially playing for the All Blacks, but the experience was something else. Everyone says when you pull that black jersey on it’s that different feeling and I 100 per cent agree with that.
“I did the haka and then sat down and looked around at the packed stands. When I came on it was all a bit of a blur – I was running around trying to get to every ruck and do everything you can.”
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First test All Blacks receive a second jersey in addition to their playing one, with many rookies opting to gift their maiden strip to family members. Evans had a more hairy approach.
“You’re in the changing rooms and someone comes and taps you on the shoulder and it’s Sebastien Chabal asking for your jersey. I was wondering what I had done in the game to make him come after me. To swap jerseys with someone like that is something special. I’ll remember that forever.”
The following week in Wellington, Evans played his second, and what would be final, test off the bench as the All Blacks extracted revenge in their 14-10 victory. That jersey now hangs at his Havelock North club alongside fellow local All Blacks Danny Lee and Hika Elliot.
“I was fortunate to get two caps but it was only two caps in the scheme of things. I would have loved to have played more but I was then forced out with a back injury for six months which stalled that and then competition to get into the All Blacks is so fierce all the time that if you take time out, you’re going to struggle to get back in that mix.
“It gets mentioned from time-to-time but you’re definitely a long way from New Zealand here. It’s definitely not forgotten – I’ll never forget that.”
Seven years after his test debut Evans watched proudly as Gareth, the Hawke’s Bay, Hurricanes loose forward and youngest of the three brothers, followed in his footsteps by coming off the bench in the All Blacks 69-31 victory over Japan in Tokyo.
“The difference between me and him is I was a definite bolter so it wasn’t really on my radar but that’s something he’s wanted for years and he’s worked hard. He’s gone through some tough injuries and long spells out. I couldn’t be happier to see him pull on that jersey and have a good run.”
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Now 35, the eldest Evans has savoured a career that’s taken him to London Irish, Biarritz, where he returned to get married, and the Sale Sharks.
During his nine years in English rugby Evans’ consistent contributions were good enough for World Cup-winning England centre Will Greenwood to name him in his Premiership team of the decade – ahead of local stars Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes.
In explaining his selection, Greenwood remarked: “I simply never saw Evans have a bad game.”
Evans says: “Someone said it was a bit of an old man’s XV but I’ll take it.”
In all likelihood, this will be his fifth and final season with Sale.
“You never say never but especially with this little one it’s getting a bit tougher to roll out of bed in the morning and get going.”
The next step? Become a winemaker, of course.
Evans’ family bought the Red Barrel vineyard and is in the process of changing the name, with middle brother Rhys to oversee production.
Like many professional athletes Evans grappled with post-rugby plans but having recently completed wine courses in Manchester, the future now has a rose-tinted appeal.
“Instead of having a coach tell me what to do it’ll be my younger brother telling me where to sweep and start from the ground up again.
“I’m looking forward to that once I do eventually decide to hang these boots up.
“I don’t mind a glass now and then – it eases everything over. Now I’ve got the chance to do something with the family, it’s exciting.”
Swapping triple-layered winters for New Zealand’s dreamy east coast appears the next chapter on a journey few ever predicted.
“It’ll be nice to get back to that Bay sunshine and put my jandals back on.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments