RICO Gear has quashed rumours that he was set to return to New Zealand at the end of this campaign.

The All Black wing, who has scored 10 tries in 18 appearances for his country, signed a three-year deal when he joined Worcester Warriors at the beginning of last year, but he had an option to leave after the second season if he wasn’t happy at the club.

However, despite speculation that the 30-year-old was considering taking up that option, he has told me that he fully intends to play a big part for the Warriors at least until the end of his current deal.

The former Canterbury Crusaders and Auckland Blues star, who has scored 13 tries in 21 Warriors outings, said: “I am very happy at Warriors and my family and I have settled really well in the city.

“I’ve noticed there has been speculation about my future, but I’m not letting that worry me and I am committed to the club.

“I signed a three-year deal and I am really looking forward to seeing it out. I am just concentrating on my rugby and showing the Warriors fans what I am capable of now I am injury-free.”

Gear’s director of rugby at Sixways, Mike Ruddock, is now looking to get the best out of his stellar wing this term as the paceman returns to full fitness after a series of niggling injuries.

The Kiwi has suffered with an Achilles problem of late and his try-scoring appearance in last weekend’s 55-6 demolition of Petrarca Padova was his first of the season.

Ruddock said: “Rico is determined to overcome some of the injuries he’s had and show exactly what a good player he is.

“He did OK against Petrarca — he was obviously a little bit rusty having been out for a few weeks — but he scored a nice try and contributed fantastically to Alex Grove’s try.

“Rico made himself available coming into the line and timed his pass perfectly. Hopefully he’ll get another game under his belt this weekend and get himself back towards top form.

“Rico had a clause in his contract that said if he was unhappy at Worcester for any reason, he would have an option to leave the club. I’ve spoken to his agent about that and Rico loves being at Sixways.

“He’s keen to stay, so I don’t think he’ll be exercising that option. He originally signed a three-year contract and I absolutely expect him to see that out.”