Stu Wilson

Stu Wilson is a well known former All Black and sports commentator.

There is no doubt that Stu Wilson is one of the most cherished of former All Blacks and is quite rightly regarded as one of the most gifted and skillful players to pull on the famous black jersey. His impressive All Black career spans 85 matches scoring 50 tries through almost a decade of rugby. He toured to countries such as Scotland, England, Wales, France, Australia, Romania, Argentina and Italy.

Born in Gore in 1954 Stu Wilson was a NZ Colt and in 1975 was selected for Wellington B. After only two games he was a permanent fixture in the representative A side for the next nine years. In his first full season for Wellington Stu scored sixteen tries in fifteen games.

Playing 89 first class games for Wellington he was captain during 1981, which included victory over Scotland, where he achieved a hat trick of tries. In a distinguished Rugby career he scored more than fifty tries for the All Blacks, two in his first match wearing the black jersey. For several years his nineteen test tries were an All Black record. He was only the twelfth man in NZ Rugby history to score more than one hundred first class tries - 104 in total - many of them brilliant, exciting efforts.

Noted for his sense of humour and lighthearted attitude Stu carried this into his play making scoring tries in top Rugby look much easier than it is. Among his entertaining displays was a hat trick of tries against the British Isles at Eden Park in 1983.

Stu wore the All Black jersey 85 times and appeared in 34 tests. He made nine overseas tours, including that with the 1978 Grand Slam team which beat all four Home Unions. He was captain in all eight matches of the 1983 tour of England and Scotland.

After captaining the All Black side to Scotland and England he retired from all Rugby, still in his prime in 1984. His retirement was sparked by controversy over a book he co-authored with fellow All Black wing Bernie Fraser - "Ebony and Ivory"

Stu later went on to commentate on rugby on SkySports.

Presentations:

• After dinner
• Sports