All Blacks: Evans ready to answer SOS

Harlequins' first five Nick Evans is prepared to start for Dan Carter if the call came. Photo / Getty Images

Nick Evans is ready to answer an All Black World Cup emergency call - but he doesn't want to be an insurance policy.

The former All Black first five made headlines last week following an interview in The Guardian newspaper in the UK where he said he'd step in for an injured Dan Carter if asked.

"It's a hard thing to say 'no' to. Who wouldn't want to play?" Evans said. "I knew the rules before I came over here. But rules can be broken. If the worst was to happen, they've got Conor's [Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea] phone number. If not, I'll look forward to waking up with a cup of tea and watching it [World Cup]."

What this means is Evans would answer the call if Carter was injured or otherwise unavailable for the World Cup - and would start. There's still no guarantee, however, that such a call would be made by the All Black selectors, given their strict adherence to NZRU rules forbidding the selection of players who do not reside in New Zealand.

However, such a scenario can't be tested until it's tested - and at least the selectors now know Evans would answer such an SOS. He earlier passed up the notion he could come back to New Zealand this year; play ITM Cup to make himself eligible for the All Blacks; and be considered for the World Cup squad.

The All Black coaches were supposedly keen because Evans would be a rather handy character to have available should Carter break down.

However, Evans wasn't interested in joining the queue of aspiring first fives; holding tackle bags knowing that even if Carter was reduced to one good leg, the selectors would still rather have him out there.

But if the call came to start - maybe that's a different story.

It was a subtle distinction that led to some misunderstanding and some critics putting the boot into him; mistaking his motivation and hinting snidely that he might want to have his cake and eat it too.

Evans has long made peace with his early exit from international rugby. Regret that he's now playing the best football of his career with Harlequins does not sit with him.

It lives, although they would never admit it, with the All Black selectors.

The regret is not just because Evans is no longer here - it's that it was only after he left the panel realised how good he was. There was a little complacency around the handling of Evans, too. Stephen Donald was emerging through Super Rugby in 2007 and 2008 and there was confidence he would slip into the squad and possibly even put pressure on Carter.

Evans had not always convinced the panel his attitude was where it needed to be.

The relationship-breaker, from Evans' perspective, was the stance taken on Carter. When Evans returned from the 2007 World Cup, he was one of the few, maybe even the only player, who over-delivered.

His form leading into the quarter-final was impressive; his running was sharp, his skills honed and his decision-making decisive.

As a back-up, all he could do was prove he was ready to take his chance, should it come. He trained all week at first five ahead of the quarter-final with Carter unable to train due to his damaged ankle.

Yet, despite Evans' readiness and form, Evans was on the bench. Carter, who limped off after 60 minutes of strangely erratic rugby, was not match fit.

When Evans met the All Black coaches early in 2008 to discuss his future, he left with the impression his form would be almost irrelevant. He could play brilliantly each week and still Carter would get the nod.

It made the decision to leave that bit easier. London has agreed with Evans, as has the strategic nature of European rugby. Blessed with an enormous boot, reliable goalkicking and explosive pace off the mark, Evans has excelled at Harlequins, to such an extent he's been rated by many good judges to be the best Kiwi import of the professional age.

When he said last week he would play if he was asked, he meant it. But the scenario he had in mind was Carter injured and Evans on the field, wearing the All Black No 10 shirt.

Under the IRB regulations, all players have to be released for the World Cup.

The problem would be the NZRU rules that don't allow players contracted offshore to be eligible for the All Blacks.

Evans was pointing out that the NZRU could break their own rules; deem the World Cup a special case and draft him, should the selectors believe he'd be a better option to start a vital game than the selected back-up - likely to be one of Colin Slade, Aaron Cruden, Luke McAlister or Donald.

He's not campaigning or desperate. Like he says, he'll be happy with his cup of tea in front of the TV.