Union Commute

First five-eighth and fullback Aucklander Nick Evans has signed a three-year contract with English side the Harlequins for the 2008-2009 Guinness Premiership season. Considered the high-quality understudy to Daniel Carter, Evans is one of many New Zealand players leaving for spells in the UK. The New Zealand Rugby Union is considering tailor-made contracts to allow players to skip overseas – in Carter’s case to Toulon in France – and collect mega-bucks in short bursts of a few months. It is an arrangement pioneered by Tana Umaga, who commuted between Toulon and Wellington last season. Chief executive of the Crusaders Hamish Riach said: “They are flexible contracts which would make it easier for guys to have their cake and eat it.”


Tags: Daniel Carter  Hamish Riach  Independent (The)  Nick Evans  

Dunedin Swimmer Erika Fairweather Wins in Doha

Dunedin Swimmer Erika Fairweather Wins in Doha

Erika Fairweather has won her maiden swimming world championship title with victory in the women’s 400m freestyle final in Doha. The 20-year-old from Dunedin is the first New Zealander to win…