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Dunedin - Highlanders wing Hosea Gear has turned down an offer from Japanese club Toshiba and will remain in New Zealand in a bid to regain his place in the All Blacks.
According to the allblacks.com website, Gear was omitted from the All Blacks training squad of 35 named two weeks ago but said it was still his ambition to wear the black jersey again.
"A lot of thinking went into it and a lot of sacrifices had to be made," he said of the decision to turn down the Japanese offer.
"I've talked to my agents as I've tried to make a decision on whether to stay or go. I've also talked to my brother (former All Black wing Rico Gear).
"I wanted to set my young family up but we have decided that I still really want to have another crack at the black jersey. I still want to better myself as a player and there's no better place to do that than here in New Zealand.
Gear, 28, who has played all 12 games for the Highlanders this year, said the plan was to remain with the franchise in Dunedin.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph greeted news of Gear's decision to remain in New Zealand with delight.
"That's great," he said. "I can start rubbing my hands together again."
According to the allblacks.com website, Gear was omitted from the All Blacks training squad of 35 named two weeks ago but said it was still his ambition to wear the black jersey again.
"A lot of thinking went into it and a lot of sacrifices had to be made," he said of the decision to turn down the Japanese offer.
"I've talked to my agents as I've tried to make a decision on whether to stay or go. I've also talked to my brother (former All Black wing Rico Gear).
"I wanted to set my young family up but we have decided that I still really want to have another crack at the black jersey. I still want to better myself as a player and there's no better place to do that than here in New Zealand.
Gear, 28, who has played all 12 games for the Highlanders this year, said the plan was to remain with the franchise in Dunedin.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph greeted news of Gear's decision to remain in New Zealand with delight.
"That's great," he said. "I can start rubbing my hands together again."
