RWC All Black 2007: Nick Evans
Nick Evans was born in Auckland on the 8th of August 1980. He’s said to be one of the most versatile backs in New Zealand and made his test debut for the All Blacks against England in Dunedin in 2004. Evans has been described as being deceptively quick, possessing a howitzer-like boot.
What are your favourite places in New Zealand?
I think the coastline is a big attraction for me. When I was younger we used to go on the boat for months at a time, and my brother and I used to explore the coastline. Around the Hauraki Gulf, up around Great Barrier and the Bay of Islands are really special to me.
What sort of things do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a bit of a water baby. I like to get to the beaches around summer and I love my fishing, so it’s good to get out there and catch a few snapper. Anything to do with the water really appeals.
Why do you think New Zealand produces such good rugby players?
It’s a game we’ve adopted as our national game, and being such competitive people we always try for the best. When we perform poorly the whole country feels the pain, which shows the passion New Zealand has for the game. New Zealanders are brought up with rugby from a very young age; that’s probably why we’re so good at it.
When did you know you wanted to be an All Black?
I think it was probably when I was a boy of about five or six. I first started playing rugby, running around with bare feet on cold Saturday mornings. We used to play in the morning then get home and watch an afternoon test. As soon as that test was finished I used to put on my All Black jersey and run around outside with my mates, and we all used to mock situations that were in the game. I think I always wanted to be an All Black, and the dream came true.
How did you feel when you made it into the squad?
It was in 2004 and it took a while to sink in. The 50-100 text messages I got and the phone calls probably made it a bit more real. It’s not until you’re out there on the field and you hear your national anthem, and you do the Haka, and you realise that the dream has come true.
What does the haka mean to you?
The haka is part of the routine of an All Black and it really gets you going. It just adds to the adrenalin and you feel really good once you’ve done it. You feel like "right-o, I’m ready to hoe into this game". I think the new haka is a really good symbol of the new generation of All Black and the new kind of dynasty that we create.
How important is winning the World Cup to you?
I think as a team there’s a huge expectation from the public for us to succeed and bring the cup back which is fair enough. As a team we’ve got to make sure that we keep a level head over there and concentrate on what we need to do. If we do all that then hopefully we’ll be successful.
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