Mike Ruddock has hailed new signing Rico Gear as the ‘real deal’ after his Sixways switch – and believes the flying winger will be a smash hit on and off the field.
Director of Rugby Ruddock sent shockwaves around the rugby world when he announced he had agreed a three-year deal with the All Blacks superstar.
Gear is regarded as one of the deadliest try scorers in the game with a better than one try in every two games ratio in both Super 14 and international rugby.
Ruddock is convinced those lethal finishing will now provide the firepower to rocket Warriors up the Guinness Premiership and is confident he will fast become a huge favourite with Worcester fans.
However, the Sixways boss is equally sure that Gear will have a massive impact away from the spotlight and help develop the next generation of Warriors.
“I’m sure the fans are looking to see him play already,” said the former Wales boss. “He has great instincts and has high quality stamped all over him – he really is the real deal.
“I watched him play against Canada at the weekend and he showed his all-round capabilities. He is a special player and we are delighted at Sixways that we have got a player of his talents.
“We’ve had a very good summer with plenty of activity in the transfer market. With Greg Rawlinson, Loki Crichton and people of that calibre joining the club it really is pushing us forward onto the next level.
“Rico will also be a great role model for young people and is a real gentleman. I’ve been very impressed with him every time we have spoken. He is very switched on a very keen to do well.
“He will undoubtedly be one for the youngsters at the club to look up to as aspire to. He sets high standards and is a perfect professional.”
The future of hot property Gear has attracted plenty of media attention in recent months with clubs across Europe reportedly interested in acquiring his talents.
But the wing wonder opted for a new challenge in England and to join fellow All Blacks Sam Tuitupou and Greg Rawlinson at Sixways.
And Ruddock believes the family ethos at the club and ambitious plans for the future helped seal the deal.
“I know for a fact there were a number of clubs interested in him, a lot of them would have been putting up significant sums, but he has come here,” said Ruddock.
“I’d like to think that it came down to the fact that we that we were able to talk to Rico on several occasions about our plans at Sixways, the quality of the rugby we want to play and our whole ethos and philosophy that underpin our programme.
“I think that was what swung it for us – it tied in with his views on the game and his perspective in terms of preparation.
“We all know he is a very valuable player and we will make sure we look after him. We want to give him every chance to perform at the very top of his game and help us achieve what we are aiming for in the coming seasons.”
Gear’s arrival is certainly to spark fresh interest in the style Ruddock’s team will adopt next season and utilise his scoring prowess.
But the Sixways boss insists the club will not abandon the forward platform that has become a trademark of Warriors in three seasons in the English top-flight.
“I don’t want to dilute the forward power in any shape or form. I am a big believer in having a forward platform,” he added.
“But I also feel that the modern game demands some movement of the ball that keeps the opposition guessing. A team that is capable of moving the ball into space to break the opposition.
“Essentially you have got to win your own ball, that is why we signed people like Shaun Ruwers up front, Greg Rawlinson in the second row and Netani Talei the Fijian back row. If anything we are looking to strengthen our forward dominance.
“But with people like Loki, Sam Tuitupou and Rico Gear we also want a backline that can reward that great possession.”
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