Hosea Gear to Toulouse

[nickdnz]

All Blacks wing Hosea Gear has joined the overseas exodus by signing for powerful French club Toulouse, but hasn't entirely closed the door on New Zealand rugby.

''I have signed for two years but I have some flexibility in the contract so that I can get out after one year so I suppose that gives me an opportunity to come back as well.''
Gear played 14 times for the All Blacks, but the blockbusting winger never managed to secure a permanent place in the All Blacks first choice XV.
This is not the first time Gear has courted overseas interest. Last year he nearly elder brother Rico - also an All Black - to Japan, but changed his mind at the last moment.
''I literally only made the decision last night and I'm pretty excited about it,'' Gear said.
''I suppose it has been on my mind a little bit, so it's good to get it out of the way and sorted out, what my future role will be.''
Gear said he had spoken to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before making his decision.
''I spoke to Steve the other day and I wanted to make it clear with him that selection was going to be an issue. I wanted to tell him where we were at before they named the [All Blacks] team. He didn't say anything about selection, I wanted to make the call before he named the squad.''
Gear said that the Highlanders awful season - the southern franchise has just one Super Rugby win to its credit this season - had played no part in his decision.
''Not at all. We've loved our time down here, and played some of my most enjoyable footy down here: the fans and supporters have been awesome down here. It wasn't a factor at all.''
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew confirmed Gear's pending departure last night.
''I've got no feel for what Toulouse have offered," Tew said.
"The French have been a little bit quieter of late ... let's hope it's not the awakening of their wallets.
''At the end of the day we negotiated a contract with Hosea that gave him the opportunity to make a decision now. Obviously we would have preferred to keep him here, but ultimately we will respect the decision he made.''
Since making his international debut in 2008, Gear has played just 14 tests for the All Blacks. He also played 70 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and Highlanders and represented Poverty Bay, North Harbour and Wellington in the NPC.
Three years ago Sir Graham Henry described Gear as the best winger in the world.
There is little doubt his explosive qualities will be a loss, but the timing of his decision suggests he would have missed the cut for next month's three-test series against France.
The All Blacks name their squad on Sunday. Earlier this year Gear seemed to be in top form with the captaincy duties at the Highlanders, but during the latter stages of a difficult campaign with the southerners he has struggled to find his best.
Last year, while competing for the left wing spot, Gear played six of a possible 14 tests.
It appears he has been overtaken by the Hurricanes' Julian Savea, but with Cory Jane out injured the All Blacks are not flush with outside back options.
The Blues trio of Rene Ranger, Frank Halai and Charles Piutau are possible replacements. The Highlanders play the Blues in Dunedin this Saturday.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/8738093/Hosea-Gear-has-option-to-return-to-NZ


AHHHHHHH!!!! I like Toulouse - but I'm sad to see one of my favourite players go. What's interesting is he turned down Japan only a couple of years ago because he wanted to be an All Black - now he's a very regular one and he signs with Toulouse. They must have offered him some unholy amount of cash. Would like to see him come back but he's getting on a bit so I don't know if he could return in good enough form to make the AB's. Very sad day.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Stade Toulouse and all the French rugby sites are reporting that Gear has signed as a Medical Joker for the injured Vincent Clerc so the article above seems to be untrue, as soon as Clerc is fit again, Gear will either leave or be given a contact with the club so the 2 year contract mentioned above is not to be believed. Medical Jokers are only at a club while the injured player they are replacing is unfit to play, after that a contract can be given but not before.

 

[nickdnz]

Stade Toulouse and all the French rugby sites are reporting that Gear has signed as a Medical Joker for the injured Vincent Clerc so the article above seems to be untrue, as soon as Clerc is fit again, Gear will either leave or be given a contact with the club so the 2 year contract mentioned above is not to be believed. Medical Jokers are only at a club while the injured player they are replacing is unfit to play, after that a contract can be given but not before.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/videos/w...03-098af092783a/toulouse-move-for-hosea-gear/

It is to be believed - Hosea Gear has confirmed it himself in this video interview.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Watched the video and obviously conflicting stories, if you go to the Toulouse official site and there it says Medical Joker the truth will come out in the wash...

 

[Big Ewis]

keep saying it, but the top14 transactions are getting out of hand. There isn't a month where I'll read some news and find some article about some SH player coming to France, it's srsly getting problematic.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Well the Toulouse manager (or coach) has just said they'll need to bring in more non-France players due to the fact that the Top 14 isn't halted for internationals, so they lose all their French players. There's an issue at the higher level - the Top 14 should stop when there are internationals on.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Well the Toulouse manager (or coach) has just said they'll need to bring in more non-France players due to the fact that the Top 14 isn't halted for internationals, so they lose all their French players. There's an issue at the higher level - the Top 14 should stop when there are internationals on.

Easier said than done June 4/5 weeks in New Zealand, Autumn Internationals 4 weeks, and 6 Nations another 6 weeks if you add the players holidays that is another , 4/5 weeks that is a total of around 22 weeks which translates into 5 + months so if the Top 14 was to stop they would be playing twice a week as there are 26 Top 14 matches + minimum 6 H Cup and Amlin games not counting the 1/4 semi and finalsof both competions it would be a nightmare.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The next logical step is then to modify the competition - cut down the number of games somehow. That either means reducing the number of teams or changing how the competition runs. While they're at it they should introduce an effective salary cup.

 

[Big Ewis]

The next logical step is then to modify the competition - cut down the number of games somehow. That either means reducing the number of teams or changing how the competition runs. While they're at it they should introduce an effective salary cup.

not happening. It's valid in theory, but in a money/interest driven world this is completely surreal.

 

[Tony Manx]

not happening. It's valid in theory, but in a money/interest driven world this is completely surreal.

+1

 

[ZeFrenchy]

If you ask the average french rugby fan, he will be more eager to reduce the number of internationals or Heineken cup games than the number of local games. Fans care a lot more about their club than about France.

 

[gaston le gaff]

The next logical step is then to modify the competition - cut down the number of games somehow. That either means reducing the number of teams or changing how the competition runs. While they're at it they should introduce an effective salary cup.

there is a salary cap its just bigger and better than everywherelse, the Top 14 is probably the most exciting and certainly the best league in the World, why would we want to have fewer teams and fewer games when our standard is second to none, why do you think it attracts the best players from all over the world, the vast sums of money stated are to very few players, although the average is probably better here than else where, the players come to France because its great rugby, great cheese, excellent wine, even the beer is good (brewed in Northern France) and the prettiest French girls you have every seen, i know i'm married to one and used to play rugby here.

 

[nickdnz]

there is a salary cap its just bigger and better than everywherelse, the Top 14 is probably the most exciting and certainly the best league in the World, why would we want to have fewer teams and fewer games when our standard is second to none, why do you think it attracts the best players from all over the world, the vast sums of money stated are to very few players, although the average is probably better here than else where, the players come to France because its great rugby, great cheese, excellent wine, even the beer is good (brewed in Northern France) and the prettiest French girls you have every seen, i know i'm married to one and used to play rugby here.

Hardly better than Super Rugby. The reason players go there is because of huge amounts of money - but there is a reason they buy players from Super Rugby, because they have the best players. French finals rugby is boring second to none. All goal kicks. All the time. Constantly.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Hardly better than Super Rugby. The reason players go there is because of huge amounts of money - but there is a reason they buy players from Super Rugby, because they have the best players. French finals rugby is boring second to none. All goal kicks. All the time. Constantly.

You have obviously seen last years final and no others, super rugby over here is called basket rugby 15 backs runing around with hardly any contact up front!!!! The money is not huge, if you knew how much that players received you would be very surprised, most of the players coming from the southern hempishere are normally good value for money as they are not paid massive fortunes, its the French players that cost the clubs the big money as a club official of a TOP 14 team i do know a little about salaries and players.

 

[Tony Manx]

You have obviously seen last years final and no others, super rugby over here is called basket rugby 15 backs runing around with hardly any contact up front!!!! The money is not huge, if you knew how much that players received you would be very surprised, most of the players coming from the southern hempishere are normally good value for money as they are not paid massive fortunes, its the French players that cost the clubs the big money as a club official of a TOP 14 team i do know a little about salaries and players.

Not for the first time would I agree with Gaston and yet again disagree with TRF_nickdnz........................................................

Even having the pleasure of having a few miserable seasons watching Biarritz, I would still prefer to watch Top 14 rugby than Super whatever and what I know of the salaries and the comments emanating from the SH players, they (and their families) are verym very happy to be here more than for just the money which is OK by NZ standards but not that great! Do not get carried away by the Jonny Wilko factor, who is paid a fortune and can well afford to take a reduction for his swan song year, they are not all like that by any means........

 

[nickdnz]

You have obviously seen last years final and no others, super rugby over here is called basket rugby 15 backs runing around with hardly any contact up front!!!! The money is not huge, if you knew how much that players received you would be very surprised, most of the players coming from the southern hempishere are normally good value for money as they are not paid massive fortunes, its the French players that cost the clubs the big money as a club official of a TOP 14 team i do know a little about salaries and players.

Just B.S. Players get paid twice as much as they do in the SH.

And actually I have watched a lot of finals involving French teams.

Top 14 Finals:
2012-2013 final: 1 try - 9 penalties
2011-2012 final: 0 tries - 10 penalties
2010-2011 final: 1 try - 5 penalties - 1 drop goal
2009-2010 final: 1 try - 5 penalties - 1 drop goal

It doesn't really get much more impressive than that either. Either way they are totally boring finals. All finals with French teams are boring as.

I remember the Amlin Challenge Cup final between Toulon and Biarritz. 13 penalties and a drop goal. Most boring display for a final ever. I think the last H-Cup final between Toulon and Clermont was about as exciting as it gets - with 2 tries!!!!!!1!!

I don't care if you call it basketball rugby. It's what people call SH rugby because they show some attacking ability. Its the reason why New Zealand coaches are constantly in such high demand and why SH players are paid truck loads (and BS that they don't get truckloads) to come and help the Frenchies to attack - because the French flair is entirely dependant on how many players in French teams - aren't French.

 

[gaston le gaff]

A discussion with no end Finals are not about TRIES they are about defence scrums rucks attacks intensity etc etc many great games have been played without tries this is undoubtably the big difference between Southern and Northern hemisphere rugby, we will have to differ on that but about the money you are totally misinformed the way of life in France the Family importance outweighs by far the salary levels.

 

[psychic duck]

A discussion with no end Finals are not about TRIES they are about defence scrums rucks attacks intensity etc etc many great games have been played without tries this is undoubtably the big difference between Southern and Northern hemisphere rugby, we will have to differ on that but about the money you are totally misinformed the way of life in France the Family importance outweighs by far the salary levels.

This is rubbish. Virtually every international who goes to France these days talks about the money. It would be far easier for most players to stay in their home country, with home language and in New Zealand's or England's case play for their country. So that "way of life and family" point is rubbish when it is actually easier in both cases to stay at home.

Also I don't buy the point about Super Rugby being some sort of touch rugby. If the Top 14 is some sort of defensive and forward play mega league that is so superior, then how come New Zealand don't seem to have much problem defending most of the time against NH attacks, yet score far more? I would suggest, that if there something wrong with Super Rugby matches, it's not worth fixing as they produce the three consistently best sides in the world. It's France who are not even close to achieving their potential.

I bet the Kiwis, Pacific Islanders and Aussies here find it amusing that most of the "French flair" produced by Top 14 teams these days is coming their players whilst the French have become the most predictable attack.

 

[nickdnz]

A discussion with no end Finals are not about TRIES they are about defence scrums rucks attacks intensity etc etc many great games have been played without tries this is undoubtably the big difference between Southern and Northern hemisphere rugby, we will have to differ on that but about the money you are totally misinformed the way of life in France the Family importance outweighs by far the salary levels.

Intensity and a lack of creativity don't mean the same thing. Top 14 teams enter final mode and just try and kill the game, rather than do positive things to win it. In my opinion anyway.

Bryan Habanna, Drew Mitchell, Carl Hayman, Matt Giteau, Chris Masoe, Rocky Elsome, Rudi Wulf, Bakkies Botha, Joe van Niekerk and Dannie Rossouw didn't all move to Toulon for the nice weather...When players say they move to France for their families - they're talking about setting up their families with money they wouldn't get back home. I'm sure it is a very nice place - but you're the one whose kidding yourself if you don't think players move to France for the money that private club owners can provide.

 

[Big Ewis]

+1

haha thx, glad you agree.

If you ask the average french rugby fan, he will be more eager to reduce the number of internationals or Heineken cup games than the number of local games. Fans care a lot more about their club than about France.

well then sorry but **** the average fan. No offense to you in particular if that's your sentiment, but I can't stand these absurdities...Jerome Kaino not eligible to play for his own freaking country after a fantastic RWC just because, basically....OF MONEY.
Fijians can't make a worthy team, not even close in fact...because of MONEY, and damn clubs - European or others.

France before any side in the world will forever take blame for inconsistency in large part due to our calendar. Last game of the year in 2010 against Aus never ever should've ended this way as a main example, and examples are legion in history. Not putting it all on the calendar, of course. But I'll be damned before the league extends to a supposed Top 16 or wtvr, Top 35, why not, with every single All-Black, Wallaby or SpringBok in our league.

And where the fk is the glory when you have every single big name around...?

How did it ever come to this, that the international game where you represent your country, the highest stage by light-years, may be delayed/hindered and generally secondary to any other matches ?! How has this not become an overwhelming priority ? MONEY.

Damn the avg. fan. How sick is this that money comes before your country. It's with your country that you play for Grand Slams and RWC and the thrill of rivaling the mighty Allblacks....not with fkn Mont de Marsan.