New deal: Nick Evans
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Harlequins have been handed a major boost with the news that fly-half Nick Evans has penned a new three-year contract at Twickenham Stoop.
Evans' decision is a fillip for the London club and all its stakeholders as the team continues to scrap at the Aviva Premiership summit and also in the Pool stages of this year's Heineken Cup.
The new contract means that the 32-year-old former All Black fly-half will almost certainly finish his playing career with the current Premiership champions at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Evans joined Quins in 2008 and has since made 106 first-team appearances during which he has scored 1,184 points including 16 tries.
Widely regarded among the best playmakers in rugby, he made the first of his 16 appearances for New Zealand against England in 2004 and went on to represent his country in the 2007 RWC.
Since his arrival in England, Evans has received numerous awards, the most recent being RPA Player of the Season in 2011/12.
"There is not a player, supporter or coach in the game in England, let alone Harlequins, who will not be delighted that Nick Evans has agreed to stay with us for another three years," said Conor O'Shea, Harlequins Director of Rugby, when he announced the new contract.
Commenting on his new contract, Evans said the decision to extend was not a difficult one.
"Myself and my family are happy to have the opportunity to stay at Harlequins," he explained.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to play with a great bunch of lads and to working with a special coaching staff. There is no limit to what this team can achieve and I am excited to have an influence both on and off the field.
"My decision was made easy by the ambition of this great club, the success we have had and the hunger to want more.
"The support I have had from the supporters has been amazing and I will do my best to help the club stay one of the major forces in English and European rugby."
Comments
colvin says...
General
Happy to apologise. While I'm pleased both Nick and Glenn were able to produce their career best performances in England, in some respects it's a pity they didn't do it at the top level which in both cricket and rugby is in representing their country in internationals. I feel their legacy as international sportsmen has been impacted somewhat by their limited international careers. Just my opinion.
By the way both made their names originally in Dunedin.
Posted 12:12 03rd November 2012
passtheball says...
Would he have been as injury free with the extra games and hardness of Int rugby and would he have been as fresh and keen to play for his club? Its doubtful he would have displaced Carter so his decision to leave makes sense. Like Merts, his personality is suited to the UK / Euro lifestyle too so he was able to settle well. Stephen Donald on the other hand, like Tana Umaga, seem more Kiwi lads.
Posted 03:57 03rd November 2012
hybrid187 says...
Hehehe touche @APV1.. I actually like reading your comments... Unlike some others (mostly Aussie, mostly Trinats) How many England wins in November ? And more importantly (obviously)... your predictions England v NZ ?
Posted 20:45 02nd November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
@clovin: cricket... !! How did that comment not get blocked. I think you should appologise.
Posted 18:58 02nd November 2012
APV1 says...
@ Rosbif - Beaver is not, will not be and never has been as good as Evans. He's good and a great mentor for Heathcote, but Evans is a class above. I do rate him very highly, I really do. But to get the points he has must reflect, at least on some level, that he hasn't played internationally for many years. There's no doubt he would have been great in S15 and for NZ. I suspect he would have given Carter a good fight for the starting berth too. But who knows..?
@ Trader2 - nice to see we agree on something..! ;-)
@ hybrid187 - I think one could argue that Evans' understudy / backup / young padawan learner is the most consistent player in NZ.....
Posted 10:45 02nd November 2012
hybrid187 says...
Hehehe Carter's understudy / backup / young padawan learner is the most consistent player in England....
Posted 09:13 02nd November 2012
hellovanite says...
Well put Colvin
Posted 06:33 02nd November 2012
colvin says...
Nick Evans is New Zealand rugby's equivilent of New Zealand cricket's Glenn Turner. One of the very best who didn't play much for New Zealand for different reasons. In Glenn's case he was a professional at a time when NZ cricket was amateur and his life requirements were not understood by administrators. And so Glenn moved on. In Nick's case he was up against Dan Carter for the 10 spot in the ABs. And while many observers considered Nick as good as Dan, in the end there was only one spot available and Nick understood that. And so Nick moved on.
Posted 01:34 02nd November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
APV1: good point. Wilkinson and Hodgson not available for international are up there with Evans with their current club performances. Europes best 10s are not playing for their countries.
Posted 23:02 01st November 2012
Trader2 says...
Well said APV1 and I presume when everyone talks about a "great" it is just at the current level he plays. Untested at international level since 2007! I believe he would have been a great player but he didn't stay around long enough to be really tested at that level for mine. He was a very good player in and for NZ up to 2007 and I think he could have pushed Carter, but we will never know. He has certainly contributed to the Quins over the years and I can see how they are happy to hang on to him.
Posted 21:09 01st November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Best overseas signing: the Tuilagi family... The Von Trap family of rugby.
Great news. A well thought out decision and excellently managed by O'Shea. Take note Saints.
Posted 21:03 01st November 2012
Rosbif says...
Hmmm APV, most unlike you to cast doubts over a fine fine player!! Are you wondering/hoping if donald will ever be as good a signing for your team????? you have your doubts right? :-)
Posted 19:58 01st November 2012
Isograford says...
Gave up the chance of a World Cup Winners medal to play club rugby the rest of his days. Not hard to see where his priorities are.
Posted 18:39 01st November 2012
jmanngod says...
ahhhh Nick. You could have done so much in rugby....
Posted 17:58 01st November 2012
APV1 says...
Joking aside, bear in mind that he doesn't play internationals. As such, he's playing for Quins during the 4N (ex-3N), 6N, Autumn Internationals, etc. Even my team - Bath - loses a few and some lose many more.
How would his club points have stacked up if he wasn't playing for Quins during these times? Would he have stayed as fit if he'd played in the internationals - we all acknowledge that they're tougher than club rugby?
I agree he's great, so this is just food for thought.
Posted 14:43 01st November 2012
Frooschman says...
Is this guy the best overseas signing in the Prem of all time??? 'Best' is subjective but number of games, points, sheer importance to his team ... Surely better than the bigger names of Stransky, Sella, Lynagh and Pienaar. Tuigamala maybe?
Posted 14:01 01st November 2012
APV1 says...
Who?
Posted 13:58 01st November 2012
pierredelot1 says...
The best and most consistent No 10 in the Premiership and has been since his arrival. Pity the home grown ones fail to match his level of consistency.
Posted 13:21 01st November 2012
passtheball says...
He has really settled into the UK and is unlikely to leave when his career is over. One imported player who is worth his wage, plus. Wonder how his career would have panned out if Dan Carter had not been a contemporary.
Posted 12:53 01st November 2012
Douglas1984 says...
Huge news for Quins, Henieken Cup champions 2012/13?
Posted 12:48 01st November 2012