Gear still eyeing Canterbury

Nelson Bays' All Blacks winger Rico Gear has not given up hope of transferring to Canterbury next year.

Gear -- who scored two tries in Saturday's NPC division two final loss to Hawke's Bay -- joined Nelson Bays from North Harbour this year because New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) regulations prevent unions signing more than one current All Black. Canterbury had already grabbed No 8 Mose Tuiali'i from Auckland.

Canterbury have also filled their current All Blacks quota for 2006, after luring halfback Kevin Senio from Bay of Plenty.

Senio made his All Blacks debut during the Tri-Nations, although he has been discarded for next month's Grand Slam tour. However, Senio still qualifies as a current All Black because he has played a test this calendar year.

Gear said his provincial future was undecided but believed there was still a chance he could join Canterbury.

He said it could hinge on the outcome of collective bargaining negotiations between the Players Association and the NZRU. It was understood the one-All Black transfer rule could be reviewed.

Even if it is not changed, there is nothing to stop Tasman loaning Gear to Canterbury.

Gear said it was "always my intention" to transfer to Canterbury from Nelson Bays.

"Hopefully, it can still happen."

However, he admitted it wouldn't be a bad thing for him if he had to remain on the new Tasman union's books.

He had enjoyed his time in Nelson.

"If I have to stay in Tasman next year, I'll just get on with the job," he said.

"It's only rained one day since I've been there."

Nelson Bays captain Gavin Briggs said the All Black had made a big contribution in his short, four-game stint with Nelson Bays.

"He's a world-class three-quarter, and the boys just look up to him," Briggs said.

"He showed those qualities of brilliance today in that first half. But we weren't able to create anything for him in the second half."

It has been a big year for Gear -- the top try-scorer in the Super 12 with a record-equalling 15 touchdowns as the Crusaders won another title.

He helped the All Blacks win the British and Irish Lions series, the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations crown.

He said he had thoroughly enjoyed the second division final.

"Any final is exciting. The boys bring plenty of passion. It's not different at this level. It was great to be a part of it."

Family members from Poverty Bay were in Napier to cheer Gear on, although he said they were lucky to get here after severe flooding in Gisborne.

- nzpa