Hosea Gear won't rule out Rio 2016

Hosea Gear won't rule out a crack at the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics although his short-term sevens goal is selection in next weekend's Wellington tournament.

The All Black flyer hasn't made any secret of his love for the shorter more dynamic version of the sport and has half an eye on the Rio Games, where sevens will make its Olympic debut.

"Anything's possible. I'll have to wait and see what happens when it come around,"  Gear said.

"In the next coming years, if I'm still around, it [sevens] might be something that I'll look at depending on how my game is going. Titch is always open to boys coming and joining him whenever they need some training so its good that he's got that open door policy there."

Gear was a vital member of the Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning team in New Delhi in 2010 and said that played a role in his decision to put his hand up to play in the upcoming tournament.

"I benefit from Titch's sessions and I did that year with the Commonwealth Games and I'm looking to do the same. I learned a lot from that tournament so hopefully I can try and pick up and go one better."

The former Hurricanes player Gear will be released by the Highlanders if he is selected in the tournament squad.

He was not included in the 15-man New Zealand squad named yesterday to prepare for the Wellington tournament, but will play a virtual trial at the Mt Maunganui Sevens on Sunday.

If he comes through unscathed and at a reasonable level it can be assumed Gear's name will be among the 12 read out on Monday to play in Wellington.

"I've been a spectator there three times so to actually be out there is something I'm looking forward to.

"You hear from the sevens guys that it's the best tournament on the circuit so to be a part of that would be pretty cool."

- © Fairfax NZ News