All Blacks

Hosea Gear

Hosea Gear has starred in his debut season for the Highlanders in 2012, adding to an impressive collection of rugby memorabilia that already includes New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Sevens and All Blacks jerseys as well as a Commonwealth Gold medal earned in 2010 and a world champion’s medal from RWC 2011.

Hosea’s older brother Rico was also an All Black and the two are the only set of brothers to score 100 first class tries. He will no doubt be raring to add to that tally while wearing the black jersey.

Gear has had a remarkable last two seasons, with a strong 2010 Investec Super Rugby campaign with the Hurricanes leading to him being called up as a senior back to the New Zealand Maori, while stunning form for Wellington in the ITM Cup - as well as a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal - led to an All Blacks callup, ending the year as the incumbent test wing.

With his All Blacks selection Hosea Gear makes it a family double after brother Rico wore the black jersey in 2004.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School graduate shrugged off a series of hamstring injuries in 2008 to hit top form and break a 27-year-old record by scoring 14 tries for the Wellington Lions, making him the Air New Zealand Cup’s top try scorer.

Gear has played for New Zealand Maori since 2004, has represented New Zealand Under 21 and made his Rebel Sport Super 14 debut in 2004 for the Hurricanes.

His power and pace is a handful for any defence and he has become one of the deadliest finishers around.

In 2009 he played only the solitary test match, after the Springboks relentless kicking game caused the All Blacks to rethink their requirements for their outside backs.

That same year, he put the dissapointment of missing out on national selection with a series of wonderful performances for the Lions in the Air New Zealand Cup.