All Blacks wing Hosea Gear has joined the overseas exodus by signing for powerful French club Toulouse, but hasn't entirely closed the door on New Zealand rugby.

''I have signed for two years but I have some flexibility in the contract so that I can get out after one year so I suppose that gives me an opportunity to come back as well.''



Gear played 14 times for the All Blacks, but the blockbusting winger never managed to secure a permanent place in the All Blacks first choice XV.



This is not the first time Gear has courted overseas interest. Last year he nearly elder brother Rico - also an All Black - to Japan, but changed his mind at the last moment.



''I literally only made the decision last night and I'm pretty excited about it,'' Gear said.



''I suppose it has been on my mind a little bit, so it's good to get it out of the way and sorted out, what my future role will be.''



Gear said he had spoken to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before making his decision.



''I spoke to Steve the other day and I wanted to make it clear with him that selection was going to be an issue. I wanted to tell him where we were at before they named the [All Blacks] team. He didn't say anything about selection, I wanted to make the call before he named the squad.''



Gear said that the Highlanders awful season - the southern franchise has just one Super Rugby win to its credit this season - had played no part in his decision.



''Not at all. We've loved our time down here, and played some of my most enjoyable footy down here: the fans and supporters have been awesome down here. It wasn't a factor at all.''



New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew confirmed Gear's pending departure last night.



''I've got no feel for what Toulouse have offered," Tew said.



"The French have been a little bit quieter of late ... let's hope it's not the awakening of their wallets.



''At the end of the day we negotiated a contract with Hosea that gave him the opportunity to make a decision now. Obviously we would have preferred to keep him here, but ultimately we will respect the decision he made.''



Since making his international debut in 2008, Gear has played just 14 tests for the All Blacks. He also played 70 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes and Highlanders and represented Poverty Bay, North Harbour and Wellington in the NPC.



Three years ago Sir Graham Henry described Gear as the best winger in the world.



There is little doubt his explosive qualities will be a loss, but the timing of his decision suggests he would have missed the cut for next month's three-test series against France.



The All Blacks name their squad on Sunday. Earlier this year Gear seemed to be in top form with the captaincy duties at the Highlanders, but during the latter stages of a difficult campaign with the southerners he has struggled to find his best.



Last year, while competing for the left wing spot, Gear played six of a possible 14 tests.



It appears he has been overtaken by the Hurricanes' Julian Savea, but with Cory Jane out injured the All Blacks are not flush with outside back options.



The Blues trio of Rene Ranger, Frank Halai and Charles Piutau are possible replacements. The Highlanders play the Blues in Dunedin this Saturday.