KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Rugby Union is remaining quiet about the immediate future of All Blacks reject Nick Evans. But coach Pat Lam has confirmed he expects to be without the gifted first five-eighths for his side's national championship title defence.
The England-bound former back-up to Dan Carter indicated he
would seek an early release from his NZRU contract after being omitted from the first All Blacks squad of the year.
That would see him skip playing for Auckland in the forthcoming Air New Zealand Cup. The Auckland Rugby Union would not confirm whether Evans had in fact sought to trigger a get-out clause in his contract.
Chief executive Andy Dalton declined to be interviewed by the Herald, with a union spokesman saying it was policy not to comment on individuals' contracts.
Lam, however, said he was operating under the assumption Evans would not be available for Auckland.
"All I know is that he is trying to get out of his contract so he won't be here," Lam said.
"But obviously Nick hasn't been part of Auckland at all [in the past], so if he's here it's a bonus and if he's not, not a problem, we'll just keep trucking on."
Evans signed with Auckland last year as part of his switch from the Highlanders to the Blues but it now seems almost certain he will depart for English club Harlequins without playing a single game for the province.
With regular pivot Isa Nacewa having already left to join Irish club Leinster, Lam confirmed Grammar Carlton playmaker Lachie Munro would be his first choice first five-eighths.
The slight-of-stature Munro made a handful of starts last year and also impressed off the bench, displaying neat footwork and a try-scoring touch.
"Lachie is going to get the opportunity," Lam said. "It has been a project of ours for the last couple of years to move him from fullback back to10. Now is his time to step up."
A mass exodus overseas and call-ups to the All Blacks mean Auckland will be without 16 players from last year's title-winning squad.
The loss of so many veteran players would definitely be felt, but Lam said Auckland's robust academy system and efforts to blood new talent in recent seasons meant the team would still be in good shape.
"We always knew it was coming, that's why we've brought a lot of guys through and we are confident the squad that we have will do well."
Having witnessed Benson Stanley's impressive emergence last season, Auckland fans are likely to get a good look at his brother and fellow top prospect Winston Stanley this season.
The younger Stanley has been in eye-catching form for Ponsonby and Lam said it was "highly likely" the brothers - nephews of All Blacks legend Smokin' Joe - would link up in the midfield for Auckland at some stage this season.
With Lam having delivered his second title in four years in an undefeated 2007 campaign - and having captured the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury - the drums have been beating steadily for his promotion to the Blues post vacated by David Nucifora.
The position was advertised at the weekend and Lam confirmed he would be among the applicants.
"I'll throw my hat in, hopefully get an interview and go from there."
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed later this month, with an appointment likely to be made in early July.
Until then, Lam said he and assistant coach Shane Howarth would be fully focused on preparing Auckland's title defence.
After a pre-season match against Queensland on the Sunshine Coast in a fortnight, Auckland will begin their Ranfurly Shield defence on the road, with visits to Lochore Cup champions Poverty Bay (July 15) and Meads Cup winners North Otago (July 22).
A 26-man national championship squad will be named on July 10.