Evans lining up the big shots

Nick Evans is keen to recover the form that got him into the All Blacks last year. Picture / Fotopress

Nick Evans has a clear memory of 1993, the year the Lions last toured New Zealand.

The All Blacks, led by Sean Fitzpatrick, beat Gavin Hastings' party 2-1, but for the Takapuna Normal Intermediate pupil, that's all pretty hazy. But fishing, that's a different story.

"I know I caught my first marlin in 1993," he quipped this week.

"Other than that, I did go to Eden Park for the third test with my old man.

"But I'd just started playing rugby then, I didn't know much about what was going on, I just remember a big crowd, and 15 guys in red jerseys against 15 in black."
At Carisbrook tomorrow, the qualified physiotherapist will be slap bang in the middle of Otago's plans of emulating New Zealand Maori and putting another boulder in the Lions' passage to next week's first test against the All Blacks in Christchurch.

The gifted first five-eighth, armed with a prodigious boot, classy goalkicking skills and genuine speed to dart through a gap in the defensive line, is one of a group of players on the cusp of the All Blacks.

He got his chance last year, making his debut as a replacement in the first-test thumping of England at Carisbrook.

A week later, he made his run-on debut at Eden Park at fullback.

He got a full game against Argentina, and came on for half a game against the Pacific Islands.

So he's had a taste of the high life. But after missing the Tri-Nations, he played in the NPC for North Harbour only to miss the end-of-year tour of Italy, Wales and France.

Evans suffered a hamstring injury during the Super 12 just as he was producing some scintillating form. Missing the 26-strong All Black squad to prepare for next week's opening Lions test just heightened his resolve.

Of course, he's desperate to be back in the frame, but putting self ahead of team isn't the way to go.

"I'm putting all my focus this week on the team and what I have to do," the engaging 25-year-old said.

"You can't go out and get yourself into teams by playing for yourself.

"It is an opportunity to promote yourself again, but I'm just looking to produce a good performance and celebrate a great win on Saturday night."

There's plenty of talk about New Zealand's provinces being denied their All Blacks for the Lions games.

Lions manager Bill Beaumont had a swipe at the absence of test players from Wellington's lineup this week and Otago have been shorn of prop Carl Hayman and lock James Ryan for tomorrow night's match.

Hooker Anton Oliver is injured and out of the first test.

But Evans gives it the glass half-full line rather than bemoaning Otago's misfortune.

"Imagine how you'd feel if you knew you were not really in the frame, then you get a chance to play the Lions. That's just huge.

"Those guys coming in, they'll leave nothing. They'll put everything into this game, and especially with the NPC spots in mind it's an opportunity to promote themselves."

The Otago team have talked about what they have seen from the Lions in their four tour matches so far.

Equally, they have seen what has been offered by the home teams.

Bay of Plenty and Taranaki tested the tourists well for 40 minutes, but it was the Maori's outstanding display which showed those teams yet to face the Lions what is needed.

"One thing from the Maori game is the passion and heart they showed at the collision and tackled ball areas," Evans added.

"If we can be that kind of desperate and put that kind of passion in, maybe we can come out on the winning side ... . It's a big ask, but everyone will get up for this."