Stu Wilson: 100 Greatest All Blacks – Video interview with Wynne Gray
In 2014, Herald rugby writer Wynne Gray underwent the task of picking the 100 greatest All Blacks. The list included Stu Wilson, who passed away this week at the age of 70.
Rugby did not claim Stu Wilson’s serious attention until he had been in Wellington for a few years.
The highlight on his calendar was club cricket at Onslow where he lined up as wicketkeeper to listen to the sledges and dissertations from Jeremy Coney and John Morrison at slip. He was cruising along with rugby at Wellington College Old Boys until he grew and someone urged him to give the sport a serious whirl.
He made the New Zealand Colts under Jack Gleeson’s coaching and graduated to the All Blacks for the ’76 tour to Argentina under the same coach.
Wilson credits Gleeson’s mild manner and tuition for his rise and success at test level. Argentina had forwards but apart from Hugo Porta, their backs did not have the same sting.
“You bake the cake,” Gleeson told his All Blacks forwards, “but 11, 14 and 15, you ice it.”
Wilson preferred the right wing whenever Bruce Robertson was at centre. The team could be in chaos but a calm Robertson would always make sure the men on the flanks got the best chance to do some damage. They had to be alert though because Robertson was especially quick.
In his years on the international circuit, Wilson’s most awkward opponent was Brendan Moon, the Wallabies wing.
“Not only was he bigger and quicker and had a great swerve, he could go over the top of you too. He had all-round skill – no weaknesses, that was the problem.”
Had there been tours to destinations like Japan or South Africa, Wilson would have played longer. He was fortunate his employers gave him paid time off while teammates who were farmers, builders and plumbers had to employ other staff to fill in while they were on tour.
Wilson ended his All Blacks career as captain on the ’83 tour when the side drew with Scotland and lost to England. He reckons Murray Mexted was supposed to be skipper but passed on that honour.
The next year, Wilson and his mate Bernie Fraser put out a book and in taking the proceeds were banned from rugby for seven years. Eventually they got an official IRB (the then International Rugby Board, now World Rugby) pardon. Four years later the same group decided the game would go professional.
Wings these days were much bigger than most from Wilson’s era but he said those who succeeded still needed to have agile minds and the ability to read a game.
Statistics
Date of birth: July 22, 1954
Position: Right wing
Matches: 85
Tests: 34
Test debut: November 11, 1977 v France, Toulouse
Last test: November 19, 1983 v England, London
Province: Wellington
Test tries: 19
Test points: 76
This article was first published on May 1, 2014