Rugby: Victory would console Lions winger

Wellington and Canterbury will meet in this year's Air New Zealand Cup final, a repeat of the final in 2008. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington winger Hosea Gear is looking for a third time lucky provincial final win to help ease the frustration of missing All Blacks selection.

Gear has been voted the unluckiest player not to make the All Blacks but said yesterday 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 said 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 through 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.

Gear will go up against 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 - 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 Hawkes Bay's new All Black Zac Guildford on 13.

Maitland set up a runaway try in last weekend's semifinal against Hawkes 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."

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-eighths 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-eighths Shaun Treeby will bring a lot of enthusiasm "which is possibly what we have been missing in the past - Canterbury can expect something different from them".

Wellington were wary of 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," he said.

Preparation this week had been all about creating a relaxed atmosphere for the newcomers. Gear said he and Weepu would keep a close watch on the rest of the Wellington backline during the game.

- NZPA