Gear signs for Highlanders

The prospects of being coached by Jamie Joseph and reclaiming his All Blacks jersey have prompted Hosea Gear to leave the Hurricanes for the Highlanders.

The 27-year-old, who was left out of this year's All Blacks World Cup squad, has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for two years and committed to the Highlanders for one.

Gear said yesterday the move wasn't prompted by the recent ructions at the Hurricanes under Mark Hammett, but rather Joseph's positive influence on him during his time with the Wellington Lions in the national provincial championship and New Zealand Maori team last year.

"I guess having spent a lot of time with Jamie, he tends to always bring out the best in me, so that was definitely something that helped me make my decision," he said.

"And obviously there's been a few ups and downs at the Hurricanes and it was a matter of if I wanted to stay and hang around or if I wanted to set new challenges for myself and head away."

"For me, the black jersey still lingers in the back of my mind. I love New Zealand, I love the New Zealand people and I'd love to stay here as long as I can."

Gear said he was presented an offer by the Hurricanes and that the Chiefs had also made noises about luring him to Hamilton, on top of a few overseas opportunities.

But the six-test All Black said after talking his future over with his parents, fiancee and older brother Rico, he decided that jetting to the Northern Hemisphere wasn't for him.

"I guess for me, I sort of looked at it as it was the easy option to just pack up and leave straight away."

The winger said despite the exodus of senior Hurricanes players following coach Mark Hammett's sensational axing of Ma'a Nonu and captain Andrew Hore last season, he didn't have an issue with the Hurricanes' coaching staff.

"No, I didn't have a problem with [Hammett and assistant coach Alama Ieremia] at all. I guess the decision probably came down to me wanting to play at the best of my ability, which Jamie tends to bring the best out of me."

Since Nonu and Hore were told they weren't needed for the next Super Rugby season, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, John Schwalger, Neemia Tialata and Bryn Evans have left the franchise.