Hosea Gear
A powerful winger whose explosive speed and finishing ability made him a constant threat on the All Blacks' wing, though his international career was shorter than many expected.
Born 1984 (age 42)·NZ international rugby union player·Birthday: March 16·Millennials
Biography
Hosea Gear's rugby journey is a story of raw power and near-misses. Born in Gisborne, New Zealand, his path was shaped by his family; his older brother Rico was also an All Black. Gear made his provincial debut for Wellington in 2004, quickly becoming known for his formidable combination of size, pace, and a devastating fend. His try-scoring prowess in the National Provincial Championship and Super Rugby for the Hurricanes and later the Highlanders was undeniable. He earned his All Blacks jersey in 2008, a moment of immense pride, but found himself in an era of extraordinary depth on the wing. Despite scoring two tries in his 14 tests, including a memorable debut score against Scotland, he often operated in the shadow of established stars. His career took him to Toulouse in France and later to Japan, where he continued to be a prolific finisher before retiring in 2018. Gear is remembered as a player of immense physical talent who, in a different time, might have accumulated many more caps.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Hosea was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hosea Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Hosea's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored two tries in 14 test matches for the New Zealand All Blacks.
- Won the ITM Cup (New Zealand's provincial championship) with Wellington in 2000 as a young squad member.
- Played Super Rugby for the Hurricanes and Highlanders, known as a consistent try-scorer.
- Had a successful club career in Europe, playing for Top 14 giants Toulouse.
Did You Know?
His full name is Hosea Emiliano Gear.
He is the younger brother of former All Black Rico Gear.
He played for three different Super Rugby franchises: the Hurricanes, Highlanders, and Chiefs.
After rugby, he has worked in the forestry industry in New Zealand.
“I just wanted to run hard, tackle hard, and leave everything on the field.”
