Rugby: Gear's twins ease pain of exclusion

Hosea Gear holding Micah, big sister Kaliyah, and Kate holding Kaden-Ray. Photo / Supplied

Becoming the father of twins has helped ease the pain of Hosea Gear's controversial omission from the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad.

"Being a new father is awesome," said Gisborne-born and raised Gear, whose partner Kate Yates gave birth to a daughter - Micah Naomia (6lbs 5 ounces) - and son - Kaden-Ray Phillip (5lbs 12 ounces) - last week in Wellington.

"We already have a 5-year-old daughter Kaliyah... now we're a family of five.

"When I first heard the news that I wasn't in the squad, I was gutted. But knowing that Kate was due to give birth soon helped me get over the disappointment, and now that we have the twins it's full-on.

"I was there at the birth and that was something I will never forget. It puts all the other stuff into perspective

"I help as much as I can and I am loving it - maybe not getting up in the middle of the nights but it's so far so good at this stage. The twins sleep and feed more than they cry.

"Kate is great with all three. She has also helped take my mind off the cup as much as is possible. Being on the replacement list, I still have to keep fit and I have a programme that I am doing on my own, and I have been watching the boys on television.

"It would be great to get the call-up but not because someone is injured.

"Kate, who is Australian, is not a big rugby fan, so it means I'm not saturated with rugby. We have a good balance."

There was intense debate among rugby fans and the media over the non-inclusion of former Hurricanes winger Gear, who All Blacks coach Graham Henry rated the best winger in the world after New Zealand's Grand Slam-winning tour last year.

Talk has reignited in the wake of the alcohol controversy surrounding world cup squad winger Zac Guildford - one of the players named ahead of Gear - but Gear is not bitter, nor does he hold any grudge.

"The selectors made their decisions and, while you don't always agree with them, it is their decision. I feel for Zac. He's a good player who, like every All Black, is under enormous pressure to win the cup.

Gear said Guildford had owned up to having problems "and good on him for that".

"I have no doubt he will learn from his mistakes and it will make him a better person and rugby player."

Gear's dedication to his "new" family is such that he has turned down an invitation to play for the Barbarians in their clash with Australia at Twickenham in November.

"I really want to spend as much time as I can with Kate and the kids over that period... and get back to Gizzy.

"Once the rugby season starts it is full-on and it is hard to spend quality time with the family."

Gear is confident the ABs can win the cup.

"Speaking from my own experiences with the team, I think we have improved the mental aspect of our game and that always seemed to be what cost us in other world cups. I guess we'll get a better indication after Saturday's game against the French."

Gear, 27, ended eight seasons with Wellington-based Hurricanes when he signed a one-year contract with the Jamie Joseph-coached Highlanders.

It was a difficult decision, he said.

"I've grown up there with a lot of boys who started our careers at the same time, but some have retired and some have moved.

"I enjoyed most of my time in Wellington. I played in Tana Umaga's 100th Super 14 game, Rodney So'oialo's 100th and Ma'a Nonu's 100th. Playing my 50th Super 14 game against the Bulls at home in 2009 was a special occasion.

"When the team clicked it was special but not winning championships with the Lions or Hurricanes was disappointing.

"Now it's time to try something new.

"Jamie Joseph being the Highlanders coach was a huge drawcard. He was coach of the Wellington Lions for a few years and the New Zealand Maori team, and always seemed to get the best out of me.

"I will also linking with Tamati Ellison, who is a good mate of mine from our days in Wellington. He is coming back from Japan to play for the Highlanders.

"Playing under the new stadium with the roof closed when it's wet or cold will be a fantastic experience."