Evans signs extension for Harlequins
Fly-half Nick Evans has signed a two-year contract extension with Harlequins, keeping him with the club until 2013.
Evans' current deal was set to expire at the end of the season, but the club moved quickly to secure his future. He initially signed on with Harlequins two years ago from the Auckland Blues, and now looks set to finish his career with the club.
After a difficult start to the Premiership season, this news will be a welcome boost to everyone at the club. The club sits in 10th place after two games, and Evans will contribute largely to transforming the club's fortunes. Evans is a quality player with a lot of skill, making him one of the best players in the club.
Evans plays at fly-half, one of the most important positions on any rugby team. He has enough pace to run the pitch and create real problems for the opposition defence. His passing allows him to link up various sections of the team. He's a good kicker; his kicking often keeps the club within touching distance of other sides when the performance is low. This gives his game an extra angle, making him an asset for the club.
Evans is one of the more experienced players at Harlequins. He's won 15 caps for New Zealand so far in his career, scoring 103 points in the process. This experience will allow him to help younger players at the club break into the first team.
He said, "Harlequins allow me to play the style of rugby that I believe brings out the best in me. I am looking forward over the next two years to helping the club compete for those top table places."
The club has saved themselves a lot of hard work by signing Evans for two more years-if Evans had not stayed with the club they would have been forced into looking for a replacement, and there are very few players currently available that possess the same level of quality and experience that Evans has. It's very difficult to find a top quality player in the market, even at the best of times.
Harlequins director of rugby, Conor O'Shea, added, "This is fantastic news for everyone at the club. Nick is a world-class player who fits everything that this club wants to be and is also hugely motivated to win silverware with Quins."
Betting advice
Evans is a very effective player for Harlequins. He scored 19 points in the club's 29-29 draw with London Wasps. Don't hesitate to back him-he should be the top scorer at the club by the end of this season. He will also be a decent outside bet to be top scorer in the Premiership. He can score tries just as easily as he kicks points.
Harlequins are a more difficult bet to get right. The club hasn't started the season well, and although the club has all of the potential and skill needed to break the top four by the end of the rugby year, they will have to match the increasing standard of competing teams.
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