HOGS HELPED UP BY WISDOM OF ALL BLACK
HELENSVALE’S Gold Coast District Rugby Union title dreams have been boosted by the acquisition of a second ex-international to their coaching ranks.
And it all came about courtesy of a friendship that started by chance more than two decades ago between former All Blacks winger Rico Gear and Hogs head coach Tonga Lea’aetoa, once a Tongan Test prop.
“I was playing for Gisborne Boys’ High First XV in New Zealand and Tonga was playing for Sacred Heart First XV in Auckland and he was my billet at the time,” Gear explained.
“He was about 17 years old, so that was the first time I met Tonga and of course he has played international rugby over the years.
“I have only been out here (on the Gold Coast) for just over a year and reconnected with Tonga about six or seven months ago when he was with the Surfers side.
“Then of course we caught up again a month or two ago and here we are.”
Outside of working with The Southport School’s program, Gear had kept a relatively low profile in rugby
circles on the Coast until agreeing to help Lea’aetoa’s Hogs, who have adopted a development approach.
Gear chips in across various areas rather than having a specific title. “I just contribute where I might see a few gaps in what the boys are doing and that goes right down from the technical stuff, tackle technique, to our body positions,” said the 40year-old, who shot down suggestions he might pull on the boots at some stage this season.
“I contribute as well on our team attack and take care of the backs.
“At this level, you tend to cover a few more bases,” he said.
Gear’s first game on-board was in Round 4 against ladder leaders Colleges – resulting in a 16-15 defeat – but he is confident the Hogs can be contenders come the pointy end of the season.
“There is still plenty of time in the comp to keep building because we’re still trying to figure out combinations in the backs and I am just getting my head around understanding what type of players we have got and who fits in where,” he said.
“We’re still experimenting at the moment but we are going to have to lock things in pretty soon.”
Helensvale face the Knights in a Round 8 rematch tomorrow at Ashmore.