KEY POINTS:
Rico Gear accepts that tonight's Bledisloe Cup test will define his World Cup chances.
The right wing felt his first ominous breath of rejection when he was left out of the initial All Black squad for the first time since he was picked in 2004.
He was sent
away on Junior All Black duty with instructions to lift his workrate if he was to force his way into a World Cup squad alongside Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko.
Injuries and impending fatherhood for Doug Howlett have given him a late chance to impress tonight against the Wallabies at the McG.
Gear has also used the example of Ross Filipo, a Junior All Black teammate who has moved into the squad because of the locking dramas, as hope the fates will smile on him as well.
"I was surprised to be playing this weekend. To be honest, I wasn't really listening when they were naming the team and some of the names came out and I got a bit of a shock but I am over the moon," Gear said.
He gets his chance because Sivivatu pulled up sore after his fourth successive test last week against the Springboks and Howlett is waiting the birth of his first child.
Gear knows what he is going through after his wife gave birth to their first child, a son Whaimauri, two months ago. He has only seen him for two weeks because of his subsequent rugby duties but accepts that trade-off in what is his last push for a World Cup.
"Obviously, it is difficult and this weekend's performance is going to go a long way to sorting things out so it is a really important game for me.
"They are probably only going to take three wingers, that is the way it is looking, and if you get an opportunity you have to take it."
Gear felt his World Cup hopes were probably identified when he missed the first intake with Howlett joining the Fijian flyers.
"It was in the back of my mind, absolutely, but you always have to have that bit of hope and keep training because anything is possible. Just look at the locking situation. You have always got to have that hope and try hard."
Assistant All Black coach Wayne Smith said workrate was the message for Gear. He was a brilliant attacking player but needed to increase his influence during matches. "He wants more involvement, getting back and helping the fullback, chasing kicks really hard and being really busy like Sitiveni."
In his 19th test, Gear will face rookie Wallaby wing Adam Ashley-Cooper while Rokocoko and Lote Tuqiri will duel on the other flank.
"My dream was only ever to make the All Blacks and I have achieved that and anything else is a bonus but, if I can make that World Cup, it will be a huge year," said Gear. "It is something I want to do, so hopefully we can get there."
Gear is leaving local rugby this year after deciding to join the Worcester club in England rather than take up another domestic contract or offers from Japan and France.
He will join familiar faces such as Sam Tuitupou, Greg Rawlinson, Tevita Taumoepeau, Aleki Lutui and Loki Crichton as Worcester try to move clear of the bottom of the first division.