KEY POINTS:
Rising talent Hosea Gear will emulate older brother Rico when he steps out on the right wing in his All Black debut.
Instead of chilling on the East Coast he will be asked to maintain the sort of heat in the Orient that he brewed up with his
try-scoring feats in national rugby championship.
It has been a massive few days for the 24-year-old, playing the NPC final, dealing with the anxiety about inclusion in the touring squad, joining that group and then being promoted to start Saturday's historic test against the Wallabies in Hong Kong.
Earmarked some years ago as a top prospect, Gear's body and mind have not always been in sync when he needed them to convince the national panel. There was a touch of "walkabout" in his play while for several seasons his hamstrings were reluctant longterm participants.
A similar pattern seemed to be evolving in the Super 14 this season and it looked like there would be a further hiatus for Hosea until he could emulate brother Rico, who quit New Zealand last year after 19 tests in the All Blacks.
That was before the 1.89m, 102kg wing set a try-scoring season record for Wellington to demand national selection. Those deeds were all achieved on the left wing while this Saturday he has curiously been inked in on the other flank even though Sitiveni Sivivatu has played either wing for the All Blacks.
Gear is one of those players blessed with a languid style which has deceived many opponents and those detailing his speed work. He is sharp, very sharp and a player who prefers to destroy his rivals with a change of pace, swerve, body feint or as Earle Kirton would say "real gas".
Give him the ball and he prefers to hang on to it. It is rare he employs the chip and chase, he looks to beat defences or clatter into them where his impressive physique and leg drive can hold on long enough for his teammates to arrive.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have been able to recall one of their young talents, halfback Luke Burgess, who has been in a lengthy injury recovery from a knee problem.
The side will not be revealed until later today but Burgess has been told he will start ahead of the veteran Sam Cordingley.
Wing Lote Tuqiri is a non-starter which should help Gear's test introduction, Timana Tahu and Wycliff Palu are both unfit, Hugh McMenamin doubtful while others like Dan Vickerman and James Horwill did not make the tour.
Coach Robbie Deans' decisions on the midfield and back row juggles will be unveiled later today but he has confirmed Burgess will start.
"Luke did really well with his entry to test level and was unlucky to pick up an injury," Deans said. "He's done well with the time he's had with us, he's just getting under way so we just want to keep pushing on with that and he brings a real energy."
Mark Chisholm will return as one lock after a lengthy layoff while in midfield, Deans will likely use Berrick Barnes again as the packing between Matt Giteau and Stirling Mortlock.
