Moments after being jolted airborne while hurtling towards Twickenham's left hand corner, Hosea Gear finally felt he had found his feet as an All Black.
Gear's first test try - completed by the slenderest of margins against England on Sunday (NZT) - not only contributed to a crucial period of All Blacks dominance, it also provided a feel-good factor for a renowned finisher who, by his own admission, had unfinished business as a test footballer.
After making a subdued debut against the Wallabies at Hong Kong in 2008, Gear was not required again until the trans-Tasman clash in Wellington last year - a time lag not many would have anticipated when marvelling at his try-scoring exploits for Wellington and the Hurricanes.
While Gear was a reliable source of five-pointers, there were still concerns about his work rate. So much so that he was overlooked for the 2009 European tour as Graham Henry opted the experience of Sitiveni Sivivatu plus rookies Zac Guildford, Ben Smith and fullback-turned wing Cory Jane to occupy the flanks.
The 26-year-old brushed off that setback by brushing aside defenders during another impressive Super 14 and then warned England of what to expect last weekend when his hat-trick helped New Zealand Maori beat the tourists' B team in June.
The crowd chanted his name that night at McLean Park - Henry was in attendance -- but still Gear's surname was missing when the Tri-Nations squad was announced.
Israel Dagg had emerged in the June internationals against Ireland and Wales, now Rene Ranger's versatility was to be tested against the Springboks and Wallabies.
Gear responded to that rebuff by taking out his frustrations in the gym, on the field for Wellington, and then for the gold medal-winning sevens team in New Delhi - an experience that had a silver lining.
He was planning an end of season holiday after returning from India but with Guildford out of favour, Dagg succumbing to a leg injury and Sivivatu another casualty suddenly November was designated as a business trip.
Gear missed the tour-opening Bledisloe Cup loss in Hong Kong and owed his start at Twickenham to Cory Jane's bruised ribs - an opportunity he was determined not to waste.
The 100kg speedster made the perfect start with a weaving run down the left hand touch; then in the 16th minute he followed the same route to score via an offload from roommate Sonny Bill Williams.
Gear maintained his momentum during the first half of the All Blacks 26-16 victory and although he was not as prominent during England's resurgence, he was still among New Zealand's leading performers.
Typically Gear was not totally convinced by his contribution.
"I was probably more pleased than with the previous games I've played for the ABs but at the same time there were still a few things I wanted to do better and a couple of areas I will look to improve on as well," he said.
Still, with Jane only expected to be in contention for the Ireland test on November 21 (NZT), Gear should retain his place against Scotland on Sunday (NZT).
"I hope so," he said.
"I guess the first half (against England) was a lot better than the second half in terms of my own performance.
"I probably got a bit more ball. In that second half I either didn't go looking for it enough or the ball didn't come out my way. That gives me something to work on."
