The Stoop Says Farewell

At the Twickenham Stoop last night Nick Evans said farewell to the home crowd in the way that a player of his calibre should do, by contributing 22 points and delivering a man of the match performance. He wasn’t handed the MOTM award for sentimental reasons, instead it was because he was the individuval that drove Harlequins around the pitch and showed us all his class and longevity in the game. In short he will be greatly missed by the club that he’s called home since 2008. 

Prior to Nick Evans' arrival at The Stoop he amassed 16 caps for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2007. Of course more caps could, and perhaps should, have found their way to him but playing in the era of a Mr D. Carter made that slightly challenging. However New Zealand’s loss was very much our gain as we have been able to enjoy and delight in the fly-half's skills ever since. 

Two key memories are etched in all of our minds when it comes to Nick Evans and Harlequins and they are their winning Premiership Final against Leicester and 'that' drop-goal versus Stade Français Paris in 2008. These are just two of the largest of the big moments that he has had in Harlequins' quarters and there have been countless others. Moments of brilliance and moments when he pulled the strings with total ease  mid-season in the hammering rain. As a result the Premiership team almost always put their best foot foward when  he was on the pitch and there was a noticable difference without him there. The fly-half's familiar and recognisable kicking style always kept their scoreboard ticking with ease and proved - not for the first or last time- the great importance of a high percentage goal-kicker. 

As John Kingston said last night after the match it’s no coincidence that Harlequins’ most successful period in terms of silverware has linked in with Nick Evans’ reign at fly-half. He has been the driver, their glue and their inspiration on the field. 

"I thought leaving New Zealand was hard, but leaving the game I've played since I was eight years old, and professionally for 17 years, is tough. But when you know, you know," said the fly-half earlier this week.  

"This game has taught me everything, showed me things I could never imagine and introduced me to people that are not teammates but family."

Not only are Harlequins losing a tremendous playmaker and one that makes them tick, off the field the changing room will miss a gentleman and a great team player. Before his boots are hung up for good there’s the small matter of a trip to Franklin’s Gardens and I’m sure that the rugby loving fans there will give the fly-half the respect that he deserves when the full time whistle blows. 

I, like so many, hope that Nick Evans next steps remain in rugby at Harlequins and that he transitions into their coaching set-up. The knowledge and understanding that he has, would be a tremendous asset to them and with him already cutting his coaching trade at Wimbledon the signs are positive. 

Read about the importance 
of the Restart Rugby Weekend

Retiring from professional sport is one of the most challenging things, serious injuries during players’ careers and back-to-back injuries test them both physically and mentally. The other great test is handling the transition from playing into the next chapter. Harlequins’ fly-half has a tremendous family unit around him and we hope the opportunity to stay in the game available. As a result of these two things, I personally wish that his transition can be as smooth as possible. Equally Karl Dickson will hang up his boots in a week or so and his future steps are into the world of refereeing.  I’ve no doubt that the scrum-half will progress swiftly up the refereeing ranks and enjoy a second rugby career in that manner. Retirement and the process of retiring is a topic that’s being given much more thought and consideration in recent months and the RPA’s work here is driving the way. As we’re hailing players that are about to retire after over a decade as professional athletes the fact that it’s Restart Rugby Weekend takes on even greater significance. 

Standing on the pitch at the end of last night’s game Nick Evans gave his assessment of the evening and his career at Harlequins. Without question it has been a superb one and once again we saw his tremendous humility and regard for those around him when he said:

“I’m only a little cog in the Quins machine and I couldn't have done anything without my team mates beside me on the field.”

The greatest fly-halves not only shine themselves but ensure that those around them thrive too. From the moment that Nick Evans put on a Harlequins jersey to the moment that he hangs up his last he will have done that. The shoes to fill are large indeed and finding another individual that will excel as much as he has done on the field and give as much to the club off it will be a huge challenge. 

‘A little cog’ in his own words, ‘a legend’ in his Director or Rugby’s words and one of the best international players that has arrived on these shores and graced us with his presence in the Aviva Premiership competition.