Rugby: Highlanders chase signatures of Gear and Nonu to boost squad

Jamie Joseph has close ties to the Wellington-based Hurricanes including Hosea Gear and Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Getty Images

The Highlanders could be preparing a daring swoop on Hurricanes stars Ma'a Nonu and Hosea Gear.

They are believed to be the players at the top of coach Jamie Joseph's wanted list for the 2012 season.

Hurricanes captain Andrew Hore, whose home is in Central Otago, is also thought to be a potential target, but his elite status may prove too difficult for the Highlanders' budget to cover.

In a further boost for the revived Highlanders, exciting winger Kade Poki is keen to stay with the team instead of taking up a contract in Japan.

Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the franchise was not at present in contact negotiations with any player outside the region.

He did not discount the possibility of pushing for the signatures of the All Black backline pair but said the Highlanders were not talking to either player "at this stage".

"We're talking to a number of players and their managers," Clark said yesterday. "But there's talking and then there's talking. We've talked to and talked about a lot of players over the last six months.

"Those names [Gear and Nonu] have been mentioned at different times but there aren't any serious discussions going on with either of those players or anyone like them."

Clark said the Highlanders, like the other four franchises, were constantly monitoring the market and seeing which players might be a good fit with the team.

"We talk about all sorts of people. You read that a player is looking at his options and you think, 'I wonder if he'd like to play down here.' But that's all."

Once, the idea of the Highlanders recruiting stars like Nonu or Gear might have seemed fanciful.

But the franchise's dramatic improvement, the Hurricanes' struggles and Joseph's close ties to the Wellington-based players, especially Gear, add some weight to the speculation.

The Highlanders have already performed well this season, winning eight of their 12 games despite widely being expected to struggle.

But they would welcome more backline punch to complement outstanding fullback Ben Smith, injured-but-proven first five Colin Slade and All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan. Gear would be an exciting and automatic selection on one wing, while Nonu would add firepower to the midfield.

The Highlanders have been well served at hooker in recent years by the indefatigable Jason Rutledge.

But if Hore was keen to come home - and if his signature wouldn't break the bank - the Highlanders would have to be keen.

Clark confirmed Poki, a revelation after being added to the squad as an injury replacement, was "definitely considering" staying with the Highlanders.

The Highlanders already have Smith, Slade, Cowan, Shaun Treeby, Josh Bekhuis, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Nasi Manu, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Robbie Robinson, John Hardie, Telusa Veainu, Kurt Baker, Nick Crosswell and Elliot Dixon signed up for next year. Add an All Black or three to the mix and the future looks exceptionally bright.

"Our goal is to keep the nucleus of our players together. In some cases, we're locking them in for 2013 as well," Clark said. "Then we'll see what's out there."

Clark hopes to announce three more signatures from the existing squad next week. The biggest names yet to commit include Rutledge, captain Jamie Mackintosh, prop Chris King and centre Kendrick Lynn.

Joseph's heroes

The Highlanders' coach gets good results from his squad. Dylan Cleaver looks at the players whose performances have improved the most.

Jamie Mackintosh

His All Black chances might be hindered by an inability to cover both sides of the scrum, but Joseph could care less? The Southland prop is a leader whose work rate sets the tone. His scrummaging is vastly improved on a year ago.

Jarrad Hoeata

A player cast in Joseph's image, Hoeata was a revelation under Joseph in the Maori last year where he caught the Highlanders' eye. Adept at lock or No 6, Hoeata's game has plenty of rough edges, but that's one of his strengths.

Adam Thomson

Proving that Joseph has varied taste in forwards, Thomson has been allowed to set his own tempo and he has delivered several explosive performances. His rangy style has detractors, few of them living south of the Waitaki.

Ben Smith

Many picked him as a one-test wonder, but Smith has had an epic bounce-back season. It might be a stretch to call him a Christian Cullen clone (as some in the south have done), but the way he glides around the park is eerily reminiscent.

Nasi Manu

The No 8 the Highlanders have been lacking for a decade. The Canterbury cast off is direct runner and seems to have an indomitable spirit, an important factor when you find those in front of you occasionally going backwards.