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Rugby Union

Worcester get into Gear

18/06/2007

Worcester Warriors have signed New Zealand international winger Rico Gear ahead of next season.

The 29-year-old All Blacks finisher has signed for the Sixways club on a three-year deal.

"This is a new chapter in my life and I'm really looking forward to moving to the UK and playing in the Guinness Premiership for Worcester Warriors," Gear said.

The player is one of the most exciting wingers in world rugby and finished last year's Super 14 campaign as the top try-scorer for his former club Canterbury Crusaders.

He has also scored ten tries in his 18 appearances for New Zealand and is widely expected to feature in this autumn's World Cup in France for the tournament favourites.

And Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock said it was a statement of intent to sign a player of Gear's stature.

"It's been a major goal of ours to recruit as strongly as possible during the off season for a numbers of reasons," said Ruddock.

"We wanted to make a statement about our ambition as a club and about the future of Worcester Warriors that we believe will be a very positive one.

"We want to try and play an exciting brand of rugby that encourages players to express themselves and creates interest amongst our supporters.

"I believe in the signing of Rico we've certainly achieved both those factors and we're hoping that such a quality player will act as a catalyst for a progressive brand of rugby."

Gear will join fellow New Zealanders Sam Tuitupou and Greg Rawlinson at Sixways after they also joined the Warriors this summer.

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