Gareth Evans signs for Hurricanes

Hawke’s Bay loose forward Gareth Evans has signed with the Hurricanes for the next two years.

The 25-year-old will join the defending Super Rugby champions after spending the past four seasons with the Highlanders.

Evans, who attended Napier Boys’ High School before heading south to study, said he was excited about the opportunity to play all of his rugby in his home region.

“I was schooled in the Hurricanes region, my brother played for the club, and my family are nearby in the Hawke’s Bay, so there is a natural connection there."

Evans shifted 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.

Over the past four years, he’s racked up 43 Super Rugby matches and helped the Highlanders to their first title in 2015.

However, in 2014 he shifted his provincial rugby allegiance from Otago to Hawke’s Bay and, after completing his degree in environmental management, felt the time was now right to make a similar move at Super Rugby level.