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TOULOUSE - Nick Evans has pronounced himself ready to wear the All Blacks No 10 jersey in next weekend's rugby World Cup quarterfinal although the progress of Daniel Carter suggests that may not be necessary.
An official statement on Carter's availability won't be made until Tuesday but there
are encouraging signs that he might be shaking off a calf strain suffered at training on Thursday that ruled him out of yesterday's 85-8 whipping of Romania here.
Carter today described the injury as "niggling" and was confident he would be fit to play next week while coach Graham Henry also made some positive noises.
"Casting my amateur eye over him from a distance, he looks pretty good to me but I'm not the medical staff," Henry said.
"They're working with him but we're not panicking. We know that we've got two good players there who can do the business."
Henry was referring to Evans and Luke McAlister, who shared the first five-eighth duties yesterday and who he said "both put their hand up".
McAlister played the first 55 minutes before leaving the game and making way for Evans, who had played incisively in his old position of fullback until that point.
Evans looked more potent on attack but was helped considerably by a tiring Romanian defence.
Both had a number of difficult shots at goal but usual second five-eighth McAlister - playing one position in the first test for more than a year - could manage only four from seven while Evans completed his two tries with six from six shots at goal.
It gives the wiry Otago playmaker 18 from 20 for the tournament.
He enjoyed playing both positions today but made it clear which was his preference.
"I thought I actually played all right at fullback but I felt a lot more comfortable moving into first five and directing traffic a bit more," he said.
"As the game wore on, they tired a bit and that allowed myself and Aaron (Mauger) a bit more space to put the guys out wide a bit.
"In the quarterfinals we'll have to wear teams down and create the space a bit ourselves."
Whether Evans plays at Cardiff will depend largely on Carter's status but the 27-year-old said he was more than ready.
"Definitely, it's my job. There's no worries, I'd love to play to play a quarterfinal at first five," he said.
"We'll see how Dan comes through. I'm sure he's on his way back to health."
Assistant coach Wayne Smith said switching mid-game was never easy and Evans showed his quality with a seamless transition.
His vision and acceleration were a lethal combination against a strong but ponderous defensive line.
"I was really happy with Nicholas," Smith said.
"I'm sure there are a lot of other teams in the world that he'd be their first choice.
"It's been difficult with Daniel around but he's taken every chance that's been offered."
- NZPA