"Two key points let us down ... our set piece, in particular out shaky lineout and our one-on-one defence. We weren't quite there, it could have been a lack of combinations but we didn't turn up," Evans said.
One of the Bay's better performers last week with 12 carries earning an average gain of 5.8 metres, 14 tackles and one missed tackle, Evans knows consistent top performances in the cup will enhance his chances of more Super Rugby game time with the Highlanders next year. But the Napier Boys' High School product refuses to look that far ahead.
"It's important I concentrate on helping to get Hawke's Bay back to the Premiership. If we want to be part of the Premiership next year, it's important we go out and beat Premiership teams like Taranaki."
His battle with Naki and Hurricanes No8 Blade Thomson has the potential to be one of the game's highlights. Thomson made gigantic strides during his first Super season this year.
"I've only marked Blade once during a Super 8 game against Gisborne Boys. I can't remember who got the upper hand that day as it was too long ago," the diplomatic Evans said.
He was equally as polite when revealing his status among the Magpies golfers.
"I'm not too serious ... Brendon O'Connor, Mark Abbott and Richard Buckman are all better than me.
"I can manage the high 90s around the Hastings club's Bridge Pa course though."
While Evans plays his first home cup game of the season for the Magpies tonight his brother, former All Black and Magpies lock Bryn Evans, plays his first game for Biarritz in France alongside his former Magpies teammate Dan Waenga this weekend.
"Bryn still gives me a few pointers and said not to be too upset with the loss in Blenheim as he had a few losses there," Evans said.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott has made one change to his pack used in last weekend's loss to the Makos, with Tony Lamborn replacing Trent Boswell-Wakefield at blindside flanker.
It will be Lamborn's first first-class start for the Magpies.
"Tony throws himself into the dark places and puts the team before personal safety.
"That's something we will require against the Naki," Philpott said.
He has been impressed with his troops' training sessions this week.
"The boys know they came second in the physicality stakes last week and are keen to show they can turn this around and up their physicality levels."
Providing Magpies captain and openside flanker O'Connor and lock Abbott, who are flatmates, complete 70 minutes tonight, they will receive their blazers at the after-match function. These days a blazer is earned by playing 1000 minutes. Until this was introduced, it was 20 games and before that 12.
Two changes have been made to the Magpies backline in the wake of Highlanders winger Buckman's recovery from a bruised quad, which ruled him out of the Makos clash.
Buckman replaces Ryan Tongia on the right wing and Tongia replaces Matt Berquist at fullback.
TenderLink Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has retained the same starting XV used in last week's 9-all draw with Counties-Manukau. The only change to Cooper's subs' bench sees Toa Halafihi replace former Magpies lock Leighton Price.
Former Hawke's Bay under-20s captain and Chiefs rake Rhys Marshall will start in the No2 jersey for the visitors.
