KEY POINTS:
Nick Evans is expected to be revealed as an Auckland player next week. The All Black is believed to have signed a one-year deal that will give Auckland and the Blues the high-quality No 10 they have craved since Carlos Spencer left in 2005.
Evans, 26, announced last
month he would leave Otago at the end of this season and make himself available for the Blues in 2008.
Having moved to Dunedin in 2004, when he was drafted by the Highlanders, Evans felt it was time to return north and be closer to family.
While he broke into the All Black side after his move south, the Highlanders are losing a raft of top-quality players next season and are expected to struggle.
He has one year left to run on his New Zealand Rugby Union contract and it is understood he wanted to sign a provincial contract that would be aligned to leave him a clear choice about his future at the end of next season.
A former Harbour player, Evans held talks with officials from over the bridge as well as Auckland.
Harbour, who are braced for confirmation that Luke McAlister is joining Sale after the World Cup, were understandably keen to re-sign Evans but the financials didn't stack up on a one-year deal.
The Tri Nations is expected to revert to its extended format next season and if Evans can keep his All Black place, he'll be available for only a couple of rounds of provincial rugby.
Harbour will be stung this season when neither McAlister nor All Black prop Tony Woodcock are available because of World Cup commitments. The union pays them top dollar and, on a tight budget, the value of adding another All Black was questionable.
Auckland, on the other hand, have much deeper pockets and, as the major province in the Blues region, they have an assumed responsibility to contract senior players to ensure they remain available to the franchise.
The Blues enjoyed a renaissance this year but were found wanting at the business end when they lacked a field general to nudge the side around the paddock.
Coach David Nucifora successfully used utility back Isa Nacewa in the No 10 shirt during the early rounds. The one-cap Fijian has an attacking bent and he sparked a talented back division throughout February and March.
However, when the weather deteriorated in the latter stages and defences got tighter, it became apparent the Blues needed a first five with a long kicking game and the ability to mix the tempo by playing the percentages.
Evans is the ideal candidate - the final ingredient in a Blues concoction that is threatening to bubble into something explosive.
If Auckland can squeeze a couple of games out of him next season, all the better, but they have stumped up the cash essentially to get him into a Blues jersey. Evans has previously hinted a move offshore is likely at the end of 2008. A memorable Super 14 with the Blues may see him commit to New Zealand rugby beyond that.