WORCESTER Warriors’ head coach Clive Griffiths insists there is much more to come from former All Black wing Rico Gear.

The 19-times capped Kiwi has failed to live up to lofty expectations since being heralded as the most celebrated player the club had ever signed when he arrived in the summer of 2007.

However, a succession of injuries and illnesses have curtailed the 30-year-old’s impact on the field so far, but Griffiths is convinced Warriors’ fans will soon see the best of the New Zealander, who is contracted until the end of next season.

He said: “I hope the fans will start to see the best of Rico soon — he knows the score and knows he hasn’t performed like he could. That is by his own admission, he is a very honest guy.

“Without a doubt there is more to come from him. You don’t get to where he’s been as a player without being a good player.

“He knows that’s in the past now and this is his future at Worcester. He knows what he has to do to get back into the team. He’s good to work with and very coachable — good players will always come through at the end of the day and that is good for us.

“Rico has probably trained the best he has done for a while this week and he is champing at the bit to get his place back.”

When Gear arrived at the club, Chris Pennell was still plying his trade in the Sixways’ academy team, but now the young wing is keeping the Kiwi superstar on the replacements’ bench. Griffiths believes this is testament to Pennell’s rapid development, but he is sure Gear won’t give up his place in the team without a fight.

The former Doncaster Knights director of rugby added: “Rico obviously didn’t expect an academy player to be keeping him on the bench but, being the professional he is, he understands that Chris has been playing out of his skin.

“Whether it’s at 14 or 15, Chris showed again how strong he has become as a Premiership player against Sale on Friday night, by winning collisions and his overall exuberance and enthusiasm towards the game.”

Former Canterbury Crusaders star Gear has often frustrated Warriors’ fans by showing his world-class talent against lesser opposition in the European Challenge Cup, before seeming to go missing in the Guinness Premiership games.

Despite not getting a long run of games due to his niggling injuries, Gear has still managed 15 tries in 23 appearances for the Sixways club, albeit 10 of those scores have come in the ECC.