One down, one to go. All Black and Blues first five Nick Evans today confirmed he is leaving New Zealand to play for Harlequins in England at the conclusion of this year's Air New Zealand Cup.

That confirms what we've known for some time now, with Harlequins having emerged about a week or so ago as the cast-iron candidate to snap up the 27-year-old All Black understudy to Dan Carter.

All that remains now is for confirmation that Carter is following suit, and taking up one of the two near $2 million-a-year offers he has before him from French super clubs Toulouse and Toulon.

On that front there had been speculation in Christchurch today that Carter could have been about to confirm his own departure, but that turned out to be wide of the mark with the star Crusaders No 10 merely scheduled to have a regulation chat with the media following training in Christchurch today.

A Crusaders spokesman confirmed that Carter's chat would not reveal anything about his future and that it was simply a response to requests to speak to the previously injured first five once he returned to the training paddock.

"He always said once he got back to training he would front," said the Crusaders spokesman. "But he's got nothing to say about overseas. He hasn't made his decision yet and when he does everybody will know because he will tell them."

Carter has been out of action in recent weeks with an ankle injury, but will train with the Crusaders this week with a view to making a potential return to the field as early as Saturday night's match in Brisbane against the Queensland Reds.

Coach Robbie Deans will closely monitor his star No 10 through sessions today and Tuesday in Christchurch before making the call on whether he's up for a return to action this week. Expect the conservative approach from the staunch Crusaders, and if there's any doubt, then Carter will be given another week.

One thing that's not in doubt is Evans' departure, with the talented Blues playmaker now almost certainly out of the equation for the All Blacks' 2011 World Cup campaign.

Evans' deal with Harlequins takes him through to the end of June 2011 which would almost certainly remove him from any potential to return to New Zealand in time to win a place in the World Cup squad.

New Zealand Rugby Union professional manager Neil Sorensen said every effort had been made to retain Evans in this country. They had been in talks with the player since January this year.

"While we are disappointed to lose a player and person of his calibre we respect his decision and want to acknowledge his contribution to New Zealand rugby, and we wish him well over there," Sorensen said.

Evans made his All Blacks debut against England in Dunedin in 2004 and has since played in 16 tests, scoring 103 points. Through all of that time he has had to serve as understudy to the man rated the best No 10 in the world game.

He also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, in 2002, and the inaugural Junior All Blacks team in 2005.

At Super 14 level Evans has played 32 games for the Highlanders and 10 games for the Blues this season while he has appeared for North Harbour and Otago on the provincial scene.

It's ironic that Evans leaves the New Zealand game at a time when he probably felt he was no longer prepared to play second fiddle to Carter on the international scene.

It could be only a matter of weeks now before Carter makes a similar announcement, confirming that New Zealand rugby will be forced to launch a new era of first fives.

Given the level of play and consistency of performance that we have enjoyed under Carter and Evans, it is going to be a major step up for the likes of Stephen brett or Stephen Donald to fill those boots.