Nick Evans looking towards the final – Rugby News Update
Nick Evans, the 31-year-old Harlequins and New Zealand fly-half is looking forward to the final of the Aviva Premiership, the top tier of rugby in England, against the Leicester Tigers.
"Finals are funny things," said Evans. "It could be a tight boring final, but I hope it's not because you have two teams who like to play rugby. Both teams have the mental belief they can win it, so it should be a humdinger."
The Quins finished the regular 22-game season one point ahead of the Tigers but it is the final at Twickenham which will determine who is crowned the champion of England. However, Evans, who played Aussie Rules football before joining Otago in the Super
14 feels that his team has had a brilliant season, whether they win or lose.
He said, "Win or lose on Saturday, this season has made it a lot easier. It has been really special, and to win would be a crowning moment."
Leicester have a bit of an advantage going into the final, as they are regulars at Twickenham and know what the pressure of a final is like. The fly-half is mindful of the challenge that is ahead of them, and he feels that the team needs to be on top of
their game, if they are to emerge victorious.
If the Quins are to emerge victorious they have to be mindful of Toby Flood, the England international, but he is nursing an injury, and in his case the equally impressive youngster George Ford might start. Evans believes that whoever starts will pose as
much a threat.
"He (Ford) convinced me in the semi-final. He had an outstanding game," Evans said. "A semi-final is almost harder than a final with all the pressure. He kicked well and he controlled the game well."
Evans made his name in New Zealand with the Highlanders, and his brilliant play earned him an international debut for the All Blacks’ against England at Dunedin, on June 12, 2004. He has so far played 16 matches for his country, starting 7 of those games
and coming on as a substitute a further 9 times. He played his last international game against France at the Millennium Stadium, on October 6, 2007.
Tags: