Evans, who attended Napier Boys' High School before heading south, to attend Otago University in Dunedin in 2010 where he quickly earned selection for the Otago provincial side and on the back of his consistent form earned his first Super Rugby contract, with the Highlanders in 2014.
He became a consistent performer for Otago since making his debut in 2011 at age 19 and completed his third ITM Cup campaign for Otago in 2013, taking the opportunity to fill the gap left by All Blacks and Highlanders loose forward Adam Thomson.
Evans appeared in 14 of the Highlanders 16 Super Rugby matches in 2017 helping his side to a quarter-final where they were knocked out by the Crusaders.
In July 2017, he signed a deal that will see him join the Hurricanes for the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Over the past four years, he's clocked up 43 Super Rugby matches and helped the Highlanders to their first title in 2015.
Evans played 14 of the Hurricanes 16 2017 Super Rugby matches and played the full 80 minutes against the British and Irish Lions.
At the end of the Super Rugby season, the Hurricanes confirmed that Evans would join the side for the 2018 & 2019 Super Rugby seasons.
Following a number of stand-out performances, Evans was selected for the All Blacks squad for the Japanese leg of the November Internationals in 2018.
He replaced the outstanding Patrick Tuipulotu in the 54th minute of the test and performed well, setting up a try for his former Highlanders team-mate Waisake Naholo, with the All Blacks finishing the test by beating Japan 69-31.
Evans brings an abrasive style laced with plenty of skill and a huge work rate to the Hurricanes.
In October 2020, the Hurricanes re-signed the loose-forward through until the end of 2021.
Evans signed with the Highlanders ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby season. He played 34 games for the Hurricanes and returns to the Highlanders a 78-game veteran of Super Rugby.
JW Nov 2021
Career
 |
Otago Blindside Flanker |
2011 - 2013 |
 |
New Zealand No. 8 |
2018 - 2018 |
 |
Hurricanes No. 8 |
2018 - 2021 |
 |
Highlanders No. 8 |
2014 - 2022 |
 |
Hawke's Bay No. 8 |
2014 - 2024 |
