It can, but the gear indicator will obviously be totally backwards and any lockouts or detents in the shifter assy will be in the wrong places.
Examples:
If the shifter has a release to come out of park, it would now have to be released out of first.
If the shifter has a lockout (special function) to get it into reverse, that lockout will be in the wrong place (like second instead of reverse) :D
To be in drive it would have to be showing neutral on the non reversed pattern shifter.
It would work, but it sure would be a mess.
