Stu Wilson
| Date of birth | 22 July 1954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Gore, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 8 June 2025 (aged 70) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 86 kg (13 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wairarapa College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stuart Sinclair Wilson (22 July 1954 – 8 June 2025) was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played as a wing or Centre for Wellington from 1973 to 1983 and the All Blacks from 1976 to 1983.[1]
Wilson debuted for New Zealand on the 1976 tour of Argentina. He played in both matches against Argentina and scored a try in the first. However, New Zealand did not award full international caps for the matches against Argentina or the earlier match against Uruguay. Wilson was not selected to play against the 1977 Lions but went on the end of season tour to Italy and France. He played in the tests at the Stadium de Toulouse (lost 13-18) and the Parc des Princes (won 15-3) and scored a try in the second test.
In 1978 Wilson was a member of the 1978 Grand Slam team which beat all four Home Unions. He scored a try in the 13-12 win over Wales.
In June 1981, Wilson scored 3 tries against Scotland in the 2nd test of their New Zealand tour.
In the Third test against the 1983 Lions Wilson scored a try to equal the New Zealand record of 16 test tries held by Ian Kirkpatrick. In the Fourth test at Eden Park he scored 3 tries taking his total to 19. Wilson captained the national team on the 1983 end of season tour during which the All Blacks drew 25-25 with Scotland but lost 9-15 to England.[2]
Wilson formed a formidable combination with Bernie Fraser on the other wing for both Wellington and the All Blacks. Others regular team-mates for Wellington and the All Blacks were Allan Hewson at fullback and Murray Mexted at No8. Although usually a Wing he sometimes played Centre. Wilson scored:
- 19 tries (76 points) in his 34 tests.
- 50 tries (200 points) in all games for his country.
- 54 tries (216 points) in 89 matches for Wellington.
He was a key member of the Wellington team which won the 1978 and 1981 First division provincial rugby titles and the Ranfurly Shield in 1981.
He also played in numerous other fixtures such as All Black trials, Inter-island and New Zealand Barbarians games and he was a popular drawcard for invitation matches. Wilson was selected as one of the 5 players of the year in the 1979 and 1981 DB Rugby Annuals.
He retired from the game, still in his prime, in 1984. Following retirement, Wilson became a rugby and sports commentator working on television and radio. This included co-presenting an American football programme on TV3[3][4]
In 1984 Wilson and Bernie Fraser's book "Ebony & Ivory. The Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser Story" authored by Alex Veysey was published.[5]
Stu Wilson's daughter, Livvy Wilson is an accomplished sprinter and has medalled in the 100 and 200m at the New Zealand Athletics Championships. She has won Gold with the Auckland 4 × 100 metres relay team. As a member of the NZ Women's 4 × 100 metres relay team she has competed internationally and was in the team that broke the New Zealand record on 4 June 2022 at a Pre-Oceania Meeting at Mackay, Queensland
Wilson died on 8 June 2025. Former rugby team mate Murray Mexted had coffee with Wilson on the day of Wilson's death. Mexted said that Wilson was "just his normal self, chirpy with a spring in his step", hence the death was unexpected.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ Palenski, Ron., The essential All Blackography., (2017)., Upstart Press Ltd, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand., ISBN 978-1-927262-94-8
- ^ Palenski, Ron., Chester, Rod., McMillan, Neville., Men in Black (7th Ed.)., (2006)., Hodder Moa, Hachette Livre NZ Ltd, Auckland., New Zealand.,
- ^ FitzSimons, Peter (31 August 2002). "A boy, a dog and a blasted reporter". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
- ^ Newstalk ZB / ONE Sport (20 October 2008). "Wilson welcomes Rocket Man back". TVNZ. New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
- ^ Veysey, Alex., Ebony & Ivory. The Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser Story., (1984)., Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand., ISBN: 0908570783
- ^ While, James (8 June 2025). "All Blacks and Wellington legend dies aged 70". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Former All Blacks captain Stu Wilson dies, aged 70". Stuff. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Stu Wilson at NZ Rugby
- Stuart Sinclair Wilson | New Zealand Rugby History
- Rugby Database: Stu Wilson Player Profile & Stats
- Stu Wilson at IMDb
 | This biographical article relating to New Zealand rugby union, about a person born in the 1950s, is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1954 births
- 2025 deaths
- New Zealand international rugby union players
- Rugby union wings
- Sportspeople from Gore, New Zealand
- People educated at Wairarapa College
- Rugby union players from the Southland Region
- Wellington rugby union players
- 20th-century New Zealand sportsmen
- New Zealand rugby union biography, 1950s birth stubs