The Napier Boys' High School old boy, who played for the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2002, is one of two former Magpies, first five-eighth Dan Waenga is the other, hoping to secure fifth-placed Biarritz a semifinal berth within the next fortnight.
"It's quite a physical league. The boys get stuck into the battles up front ... my goal is to put my best foot forward so I can, hopefully, score another contract," Evans said.
"After three-and-a-half years in London [where he played 74 games for London Irish] I'm enjoying the change of scenery this seaside city brings. It's a good lifestyle change ... we're a 20-minute drive from Spain and if I want to catch up with my girlfriend in London it's just an hour-long flight away," Evans explained.
The eldest of three rugby-playing brothers, former Hawke's Bay B lock Rhys and Magpies No8 Gareth are the others, Evans, pointed out the situation is no different to what it was when he was in New Zealand, with his parents, Jenny and Dai, going above and beyond the call of duty to support the trio. Although it's a little easier now with Rhys taking a spell from rugby to focus on his winery work in Cape Town.
For the past three weeks, Jenny has been visiting Evans, while Dai has remained at home to support Gareth in his exploits with the Highlanders.
"Mum has taken over the kitchen. She goes down to the markets and brings back fresh fish ... it's been great," Evans said.
Despite being on the other side of the world, Evans says he keeps a close eye on the form of the Magpies and his family's club side.
"Hawke's Bay gave me my first crack at rugby and the Magpies will always be special to me. It's the same with all the former Magpies over here ... when I catch up with Zac [Guildford] and the two Dans [Waenga and Kirkpatrick] we always talk about the Bay. It was pleasing to see the boys hang on to the Ranfurly Shield after those four defences."
Former Blues and Hurricanes Super player Evans admitted he was particularly pleased with the progress Gareth has made.
"I knew, when the three of us used to knock each other around in the backyard, there was something about him. Gareth is going to be the best of the three brothers."
When asked if Gareth will emulate his feat and become an All Black, Evans replied:
"The world is his oyster. He just has to keep working hard, keep his head down and good things will come."
Evans isn't too concerned with Havelock's seventh placing on the Nash Cup points table after five rounds.
"Adam [Bradey] is a first season coach. He and all the guys around him know what it takes to win the Maddison Trophy. They will be timing their run nicely and they will be ready for Taradale," he said referring to the villagers home clash today against the unbeaten Nash Cup leaders, which doubles as a Cooper-O'Dwyer Cup encounter.
We couldn't end our chat with Evans without getting him to name his Magpies selection, a team containing what he considered the best players he played with during his nine years with the team. Because his first match was 12 years ago, we gave him the luxury of a 24-hour selection period.
This was the note which accompanied his emailed selection:
"Have been fortunate to play with a number of great players during my time in Hawke's Bay, so much so that I had a difficult time picking this team. I am bound to miss someone out and for that I am sorry, this is why I am still very much happy being a player and not a selector."
Bryn's team: Israel Dagg, Jason Kupa, Jason Shoemark, Davis Norman, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Danny Lee, George Naoupu, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson, Brodie Retallick, Matt Egan, Sona Taumalolo, Hika Elliot, Tom Symes.
Substitutes: Forwards, Danny Logan, Clint Newland, Lua Lokotui, Nui Bartlett; backs, Chad Shepherd/Chris Eaton, Aayden Clarke, Jacob Kennedy.
