Evans comes ‘home’ to the Hurricanes
One of few memorable moments of the sodden Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch was also one of Gareth Evans’ final acts in a Highlanders jersey.
His team 17-0 down to the Crusaders, freshly off the bench, the loose forward grabbed the ball, darted towards the touchline then straightened to find himself splashing into open space.
‘‘I was just trying my best not to slip over,’’ the new Hurricanes signing quipped yesterday of his gallop, his body finally thawed after his side’s arctic season finale.
That telling burst showed the kind of energy Evans will bring to the Hurricanes when he dons the yellow-and-black jersey next year at age 26, after taking the long road to Wellington.
When he headed to Dunedin in preference to Wellington to study in 2010, on leaving Napier Boys’ High School, older brother Bryn was already a Hurricanes and All Blacks lock.
In the ensuing seven years, Evans completed a University of Otago degree in environmental science, returned to Hawke’s Bay to win a Ranfurly Shield and played four seasons and 43 Super Rugby matches for the Highlanders. Wellington also featured prominently, when he was part of the 2015 final victory, over his new team.
A clear highlight this year was wearing No 6 in the win over the British and Irish Lions that lifted the roof in June, after the disappointment of a serious knee injury the previous year.
‘‘I’m from the [Hurricanes] region and I was keen to get back closer to family and friends. I’m ready for a new experience,’’ Evans said.
And, hopefully, a chance to start in a Super Rugby side after jostling for space with Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon and Luke Whitelock in Dunedin.
It gets no easier to crack the top XV in Wellington, with Brad Shields, Ardie Savea and Vaea Fifita an established loose forward trio. Evans will provide coach Chris Boyd a versatile option, primarily a No 6, to bolster the loose forward stocks in the absence of Europe-bound Callum Gibbins.
‘‘No team wins Super Rugby without having some quality. There are three good loosies there and the Highlanders had three All Black [loose forwards] too. There’s going to be competition wherever you go. I know Brad from playing him at high school and I know Ardie well. It won’t be easy,’’ Evans said.
Evans, who signed for two years, will also be reunited with his former Napier BHS first XV first-five from 2009, Ihaia West, who arrives from the Blues.
He chatted with West before singing, as he did with brother Bryn, now on the books of Sale Sharks in the UK.
‘‘I spoke to him a lot and he reassured me I’d like it in Wellington.’’
Bryn Evans played 25 matches for the Hurricanes between 2009 and 2011, and was capped twice for the All Blacks as a lock against France in 2009.