The five New Zealand sides named their Super 15 squads today for the 2012 season.

Hosea Gear is a Highlander. Gear, the discarded All Black winger, has signed a one year contract with the southern franchise, and is leaving the Hurricanes after eight years.

Forty years in a blokey, sometimes unkind profession hasn't left a dent in the genial exterior of rugby's 'old bear'