'If we win a comp I'll retire': The goal driving Warriors recruit Evans

Having departed Parramatta because he was told he'd remain a bench player, new Warriors prop Kane Evans says he can't wait to team up with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck again, and vowed to retire if the New Zealand club wins the premiership.Evans is one of several high-profile signings for the Warriors alongside fellow recruits Addin Fonua-Blake, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Jack Murchie in an impressive forward pack.Evans spent three seasons at the Eels. He labelled his first year out west as "shit", then finished last season coming off the interchange behind starting props Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.Like the Warriors, the Eels tabled Evans a two-year deal, but coach Brad Arthur made it clear he would struggle to toss Campbell-Gillard and Paulo from the run-on side.Evans, one of the tallest players in the game at 199cm, appreciated Arthur's honesty but was happy to back himself and push for a potential starting role at the Warriors, a team he believes can play finals football."I could have stayed at Parra, I learnt a lot of good lessons there and I learnt a lot of hard lessons," Evans told the Herald."They told me if I did re-sign I'd be fighting for a bench spot. I haven't been told what my role will be here [at the Warriors]. But when you know you'll only be a bench player or a third-string prop ... when you know you're not a chance [to start] and you're told in black and white, you don't want to hang around being third best."'Reg' [Campbell-Gillard] and Junior are unbelievable, they're still so young and their best years are ahead of them. They're at the top of their game right now."I respect Parramatta and I respect Brad. There's no bullshit with Brad and he tells you how it is."But when I got this opportunity to play with these lads I took it. We'll be a top-eight team next year. If the Warriors are a stock, they're the one to jump on because they're about to rise."Evans played with Tuivasa-Sheck at the Roosters and said he had a Sonny Bill Williams-like impact on teammates. It's a huge rap for a fellow Kiwi who is becoming just as adored by the locals on the other side of the Tasman."I wanted to play with 'Rog' [Tuivasa-Scheck] again, and I know he will make me a better player and better person," Evans said."I played my best footy with him back in the day. Obviously he leads by example every game, and that was one of the driving forces for me to come."He reminds me of Sonny Bill when he came to the Roosters. He's exactly like that with the way he leads by example – he's someone you want to play for and not let down. If you do let him down, you go home dirty with yourself."Evans, who turns 29 next month, has said he will walk away if he wins some silverware. He has played seven seasons and featured in five finals campaigns."My goal is to win a comp, and if we win a comp with the Warriors I'll retire," said Evans, who added he wanted to play for Fiji at next year's World Cup.Evans joined the Australia-based Warriors for the final two weeks of training before Christmas and will meet some of his teammates for the first time on January 3, when the entire squad gathers in Tamworth to resume preparations.https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/if-we-win-a-comp-i-ll-retire-the-goal-driving-warriors-recruit-evans-20201222-p56pmd.html

Eels Blogs

'If we win a comp I'll retire': The goal driving Warriors recruit Evans

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Clinton Schifcofske

How Many Good Players have Left Eels

You are NRL chairman, how do you set out the season

Adam Ritson on League365 Podcast

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Remberance Day

NAS Not Saying No

Eels offer to Jonah pezet

Any news on who parra

Note: this page contains paid content.