Options for wing Gear (From Worcester News)

Options for wing Gear

11:00am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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WARRIORS wing Rico Gear admits he has options in France and Japan as well as the possibility of extending his Sixways stay.

Big-earning Gear, who joined the Warriors on a three-year deal in June 2007, is out of contract this summer and is weighing up his future.

The former Canterbury Crusaders star has not hit the heights expected of him when he became the biggest signing in Warriors’ history but, nonetheless, an extension to his contract is in the pipeline.

The 31-year-old told press in New Zealand: “I’ve got four months of my contract to run and the club are already talking about offering me a new one.

“I’m keen to stay but there could be other options — Japan and France — so I’ll see what comes up. But I’d be happy, despite the English weather, to stay for another couple of years. I’m 31 now and have got at least two more good years.”

While Gear, who played 20 Tests for the All Blacks and scored 11 tries, insists he enjoys being at Worcester, he is certainly no fan of the English lifestyle.

He added: “I love the rugby in the UK but, without being disrespectful, I’m not a fan of the lifestyle. The lifestyle in New Zealand is, well, you’ve got it all.

“Over in the UK the kids tend to do a lot of things indoors. There’s plenty to do and the facilities are fantastic, but in Gisborne it’s an outdoor lifestyle. That suits us better.

“(My wife) Taina’s great with the kids. She’s happy for me to pursue my career knowing that it’s giving us a lifestyle we would otherwise never have had.

“It may not seem much, but a big highlight for us was building a snowman — but you can’t beat the Gisborne weather, the beaches and catching up with mates.

“Sam Tuitupou signed at the same time as me and we had Willie Walker this year. Obviously, we hang out a bit together but we’ve all made good friends outside the Kiwi circle and I’m looking to make many more before I call it quits.”

Although Gear admits the northern hemisphere rugby is not best suited to his game, he is adamant that he enjoys playing in England.

He said: “It’s not the style that I like to play, but the teams in the Premiership are full of internationals. After so many years of playing against the same players in New Zealand it was the best move I’ve ever made.

"Worcester is a great club, but we haven’t had the results we’d like — we’re not consistent enough. One week we beat the top team then we lose to sides we should beat, but everything else about the club and the city is great.”