Gear finished with three tries whilst McAlister smashed his way through the England midfield on numerous occasions as well as delivering a first class kicking display.
It was a game England will feel that they could and maybe should have won. They roared into an early 13-0 lead only to suffer a game changing setback when Charlie Hodgson's penalty attempt at 13-3 rebounded off the post and, seconds later, Gear smashed aside a poor tackle from David Strettle to score.
England then self destructed as Phil Dowson lost control of the ball at the rear of an England scrum that was advancing at a rate of knots. The Maori gleefully pounced upon the loose ball and countered swiftly to score.
England were rocked but a Hodgson penalty steadied the ship before an opportunist try from Danny Care from a quick tap restored the lead before an interception from Charlie Hodgson led to a try from Chris Ashton and a 28-17 half time lead.
The lead was shortlived. The impressive McAlister bounced off Brad Barritt and Mathew Tait in the build up to another score from Gear and the winger completed his hat trick shortly afterwards to edge the Maori in front at 29-28.
England's pack, featuring Dave Attwood and Paul Doran-Jones, were still looking powerful, but the go ahead score just wouldn't come despite a number of promising attacks and two late penalties from Willie Ripia sealed a famous win.
