Nick Evans calling the shots at Harlequins
Nick ‘Snapper’ Evans – the Harlequins fly half, took some time out during the festive period to chat to Rugby World about Big Game 3 – the post Christmas clash against London Irish at Twickenham last year. Plus being grumpy when he doesnt eat and getting Kate Hudson to do the dishes.
Rugby World: Are you looking forward to Big Game 3 at Twickers on 27 December?
Nick Evans: Definitely. It’s always exciting going there, especially at that time of year with all the festive cheer. We had a near-capacity crowd last year so hopefully it’ll be the same again. It’s a good chance for the public to come along for a great occasion. We’re playing London Irish so it’s two London clubs and a few people from The X Factor will be there too.
RW: And it must be time for a Quins win in the Big Game?
NE: The first game was pretty exciting and we got a draw with Leicester while last year we came up a bit short against Wasps. Hopefully we’ll go one better this time.
RW: Any nicknames?
NE: Snapper – I’m a big fisherman. Come April I start thinking about being back home where I can go out of my house onto the water and fish.
RW: What are the best and worst things about living in the UK?
NE: The worst thing is the cold, the best thing is that Europe is so close. You can go to Paris or Germany really quickly, and that’s cool.
RW: Who are the jokers at Quins?
NE: Danny Care likes to wind people up. Jordan Turner-Hall and him are good together, like little twins who get themselves into trouble.
James Percival should leave the banter to the pros
RW: Who has the worst habit at Quins?
NE: James Percival and his banter. Everything he thinks, he says. He thinks he’s funny but he’s not.
RW: Any practical jokes you can share?
NE: We do Secret Santa each year and last year I got a framed picture of Dan Carter! It’s quite funny but I still don’t know who picked it.
RW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
NE: X-ray vision – for the obvious reasons!
RW: What couldn’t you live without?
NE: My blue hat. I wear hats until they have holes in them. This one I’ve had about two years, so it’s got a few years left!
Spiders, Big Brother and Stacking it on the pitch…
RW: Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with?
NE: Will Ferrell. He’d make me laugh.
RW: Any bugbears?
NE: I hate doing the dishes – pots and pans.
RW: And any phobias?
NE: I hate spiders. I couldn’t go on I’m A Celebrity…, not even if they paid me £500,000.
RW: Would you do any reality TV show?
NE: Big Brother, though when they stopped giving me food and I was hungry, I’d get grumpy. That could make for good TV but wouldn’t be good for everyone else!
RW: What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on the pitch?
NE: It’s always good to see boys lose their shorts.
RW: Full frontal?
NE: I don’t want to see that – just a bit of cheek! Actually the funniest thing happened when I was playing for East Coast Bays in Auckland.This was before I put tape round my laces and as I was running in to kick, my stud got tangled in the laces of my other boot, and I fell on my face. An opponent then kicked the ball over me. The whole crowd laughed at me.
RW: If your house was on fire, what three things would you save?
NE: My electric guitar. My phone and… I’m looking around now to see what else! My golf clubs. If I was back in New Zealand it would be my fishing rods.
RW: Who are your three dream dinner party guests?
NE: Kate Hudson. She seems fun and doesn’t take herself too seriously, which I like. She could do the dishes too! Wagner – I love him. And Dave Grohl. He’d have good stories and we could have a jam session. I play the guitar so he could teach me a few things.
RW: Any ambitions outside of rugby?
NE: This is like a Miss Universe contest! World peace and an end to world hunger! I’ve done all the study stuff, so I’d like to start up a kicking academy for kids or something like that.
RW: You could be Nick the Kick! How’d you like to be remembered?
NE: As a good bloke who gave 100% and was there when needed.
Check out his New Zealand profile…
Check out the dying moments of Harlequins V Stade Francais during the Heineken Cup clash (2008) to see what Nick can do…
Learn more about Nick’s teammates at Harlequins…