62
// NZ RUGBY WORLD // JUNE/JULY 2015
WHERE
it ALL BEGAN
A
fter 16 years of professional international sport, Rico
Gear is now giving back to his formative community as
Poverty Bay assistant coach/development manager.
Last year the former explosive Crusaders and All Blacks
wing led his first team from bottom of the Heartland
Championship to Meads Cup losing finalists.
“Having someone of his calibre and mana inspiring the young
players is something you can’t buy,” head coach Mutu Ngarimu
said following their final defeat to Mid-Canterbury.
After playing in England and Japan, the 37-year-old enjoyed
being coaxed into pulling on the red jersey for half a dozen
games. “If your body allows it and you’ve still got a passion and
drive to play, then you’ve got to make the most of it. Because it
will stop one day and I’ve just got to enjoy it while I can.”
Rico and Hosea Gear are the only brothers to both score more
than 100 first class tries in New Zealand. Their parents, Rick and
Annie, are sporty people. “The old man was a rugby player. He
had a strong affiliation with league as well, so I grew up playing
rugby league until I was 16 and then First XV rugby took over at
Gisborne Boys’ High.”
Gear was brought up five doors down from Poverty Bay’s home
ground, Rugby Park. “So I spent a lot of time down at the park,
whether it was watching the games or doing my own training.”
He hasn’t looked back since he first picked up a rugby ball aged
six. “Never had a year off, played right the way through.”
Last year Gear mixed it up. “Wherever we were struggling...so
After A long And distinguished
cAreer thAt sAw him plAy for
the Blues, crusAders And the
All BlAcks As well As stints in
englAnd And JApAn, Rico GeaR is
BAck in poverty BAy. he spoke
with aLeXaNDeR BiSLeY.
[ RICO GEAR ]
