Evans ready to prove his worth
Kane Evans has had to wait longer than expected to justify his signing, but the new recruit’s return to fitness could not have come at better time for the Warriors.
With the Kiwi NRL outfit depleted up front due to injury and suspension, Evans is finally set to make his club debut off the bench in tonight’s round five clash against Manly on the NSW Central Coast.
The former Roosters and Eels prop was one of the Warriors’ heavyweight off-season signings alongside injured enforcer Addin Fonua-blake and Ben MurdochMasila. However, a knee injury picked up in last year’s penultimate game for Parramatta disrupted his preparation for the 2021 campaign.
Forced to build his matchfitness in the Queensland Cup, Evans started the season with feeder club Redcliffe before the recent Covid-19 lockdown in Brisbane prevented players from travelling interstate.
But after the Warriors managed to organise him and team-mate Pride Petterson-robati a run for Newcastle’s NSW Cup team last week, Evans declared himself ready to go.
‘‘There’s a lot of emotions going through me at the moment, I’m excited to be able to represent the Warriors,’’ said Evans, who made 150 metres off 12 hit-ups in the Knights’ reserve grade team’s big win over the Dragons.
‘‘It wasn’t the best start to the season for me individually being injured, but it’s a long season and I can’t wait to prove I’m a good investment for this club.’’
With 117 NRL appearances behind him as well as 13 tests for Fiji, Evans brings plenty of experience, but it’s on defence where he wants to make an impression.
A towering presence standing almost 2m tall, the former Junior Kangaroos representative stood out for his size and thunderous charges when he first broke into the NRL at the Roosters in 2014.
But as he’s matured, Evans has adapted his style based on a more defensive-orientated approach.
‘‘I used to be an attacking-based player but I’ve really changed the way I think,’’ Evans said.
‘‘I just want to try and get the boys up in line-speed and marker play and bring that energy in defence.
‘‘Everyone can attack but to change it to a defensive mindset is really hard. You’ve got to be more selfless and worry about the hard things that people don’t really realise ... put away the brakes and the hitting lines and the selfish sort of superstar plays which we
8pm tonight, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Roger Tuivasa-sheck (c), David Fusitu’a, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Ken Maumalo, Kodi Nikorima, Sean O’sullivan, Leeson Ah Mau, Wayde Egan, Tohu Harris, Eliesa Katoa, Jack Murchie, Jazz Tevaga. Interchange (from): Ben MurdochMasila, Tom Ale, Kane Evans, Josh Curran, Rocco Berry, Paul Turner, Jackson Frei, Taniela Otukolo.
Dylanwalker, Jason Saab, Brad Parker, Morgan Harper, Reuben Garrick, Kieran Foran, Daly CherryEvans, Taniela Paseka, Lachlan Croker, Martin Taupau, Jack Gosiewski, Josh Schuster, Jake Trbojevic. Interchange (from): Cade Cust, Toafofoa Sipley, Sean Keppie, Josh Aloiai, Tevita Funa, Zac Saddler, Christian Tuipulotu, Ben Trbojevic.
Chris Butler just leave to the backs. We’ve got enough strike power to do that, I just do my job.’’
Evans said Fonua-blake was ‘‘like a one-man team’’ and losing him for at least six to eight weeks with a knee injury was a big blow.
However, he was confident the Warriors forwards could fill the void with a collective approach, echoing the call from coach Nathan Brown.
Despite Evans’ status as a highprofile recruit, Brown just wants him to perform his role and said there was no added pressure on the 29-year-old to do anything out of the ordinary.
‘‘I expect Kane to play like Kane can play,’’ Brown said. ‘‘He’s played at some good footy clubs, at the Roosters and Parramatta. He’s played plenty of finals footy and has plenty of experience.
‘‘He’s got his body in good shape and he’s had a couple of runs in the [Queensland] Cup now, so we just want him to bring what he’s good at.’’
‘‘Iwant you to be like Portia Woodman,’’ were the instructions of former sevens coach Seanhoran.
As far as medal-winning game plans go, it was undercooked, but you can see why anyone involved in rugby would want to be like Portia. She effortlessly represents what many fans are crying out for in the world of overproduced social media content; Portia is herself. And who Portia is, connects rugby to many communities out of touch with the sport.
Often compared to Jonah Lomu on the field, their similarities are arguably stronger off it. Both emerged as icons of the code as the sport transitioned into the professional era. While the women’s game has far to go in this respect, the appeal and charisma of a player like Portia does much to champion our cause.
Like Jonah before her, Portia is a player that is known by one name.
Portia has been one of the lucky few of our wa¯hine to have made rugby her fulltime job. While the transition post-rugby can be painful for many, you get the sense that Portia will be happy to pick up her hammer and build her new life.
The game demands so much of its stars, this reminder of a whole life to be lived is an important check for our athletes, whose next career is only one injury away.
A proud Nga¯puhi wa¯hine, her wha¯nau instilled early the importance of knowingwho you are by understanding who you are. Her confidence on and off the field is rooted in her inner identity and in honouring the gifts of her tı¯puna.
Portia has described herself as Ma¯ori with a sprinkling of everything else and seeks to know all parts of who she is. A lesson there for our wider rugby community to understand and embrace the same.
She has a beautiful partnership with fellow Black Fern Renee Wickliffe. I can only imagine what impact the role modelling of their relationship is having on our queer youth. I might have found the door to my own closet quicker if I had had more women such as Portia and Renee showingme the way.
If you want to be like Portia Woodman then you need to be authentically yourself. There is radical power in living out loud, rugby and the world need more of it.