Finals win will help soothe Gear's frustration

NZPA ©

Wellington winger Hosea Gear is looking for a third time lucky Air NZ Cup final rugby win to help ease the frustration of missing out on All Blacks selection.

Gear's been voted the unluckiest player not to make the All Blacks but said today it would not derail his focus as he prepares for Saturday's final in Christchurch.

"Missing out on the All Blacks is now well in the back of my mind," Gear told NZPA after a relaxed training session in the capital.

"I won't let that get in the way of what I want to achieve for Wellington in the last game of the season.

"It's my third straight final (he missed the 2006 final because of a hamstring injury) in a row and you could say I'm a little tired of finishing runner-up."

But first, Wellington will need to deliver an 80-minute performance in a rematch between last year's finalists if they are to come away with the national title -- something they have not won since 2000 despite making six finals in the past seven years.

They lost a low-scoring final 6-7 to Canterbury in Wellington last season.

The final will see Gear matched against Canterbury's gun winger, Sean Maitland.

Despite having missed a number of games this season because of injury or All Blacks duty, Gear has scored 11 tries this season -- just three short of his championship record of 14 set last year.

Maitland has eight to be third in the try scoring rankings which is headed by Hawke's Bay's new All Black Zac Guildford on 13.

Maitland set up a runaway try in last weekend's semifinal against Hawke's Bay with a searing burst and Gear is well aware of the threat.

"He showed just how much gas he has got -- hopefully he won't run around me this weekend," Gear said.

With Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Tamati Ellison away with the All Blacks, Wellington will only have three backs -- halfback Alby Mathewson, first five-eighth Piri Weepu and Gear -- with finals experience for Saturday's match.

Wellington's inexperience can expect a searching examination from Canterbury but Gear's not too worried, saying players such as fullback Apoua Stewart, centre Alapati Leuia and second five-eighth Shaun Treeby will bring a lot of enthusiasm "which is possibly what we been missing in the past -- Canterbury can expect something different from them."

Wellington were wary what a Canterbury backline of Colin Slade, Maitland, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Tu Umaga-Marshall and Stephen Brett could individually bring into the final.

"Their backline is full of Junior All Blacks and many are on the edge of All Blacks selection -- they will provide a good challenge for our younger guys."

Preparation this week had been all about creating a relaxed atmosphere for the newcomers.

"With the amount of young guys that we got, we can't afford to put a lot of pressure on them -- so we've just been creating a comfortable environment where they can relax and play their own game."

Weepu and he would be keeping a close watch on the rest of the Wellington backline during the game, Gear said.

"The vibes will filter off the older guys . . . . we can read their body language and if they need us, we will get beside them and encourage them and be positive.

"Being the final, they don't really need motivation. The young guys have surprised me -- they are really mature players with lots of talent."