Colin Slade signs with Highlander

[SnapperNZ]

Getting game time in the starting line up for the Highlanders will probably be better for Colin Slade's All Black aspirations, than sitting on the Crusaders bench behind Dan Carter.

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Ditto.....he will definately be running things at the Highlanders which can only be good for his game.

The situation with Nick Evans and whoever is going to be the All black backup (and i'm not saying it's Slade), is likely to be totally different. Dan Carter is likely to go and play in France after the World Cup, so whoever is the backup, is likely to be the starting no.10 after the world cup - Nick Evans, from what I've read, did not want to sit on the bench behind Dan Carter

Yeah, a pity though.<_< Evans stated that he won`t be playing for AB`s again due to age and extending his contract with Harlequins ( http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10685747 ) .......but it still would have been great to have him in RWC squad instead of the choices at present He is in great form and is rated very highly in the NH. He would be 1st choice for any 6 Nations team if he was eligible.

But for NZ, the future post-RWC is looking very promising indeed. There is a whole breed of new talented and skilful flyhalves emerging in NZ rugby at present and with the right mentoring and management some will ably step into DC`s boots post RWC.