Unwanted Wilson moving on
December 05 2008
James Wilson has put the disappointment of missing Highlanders selection to one side as he settles into his first week of training with his new Super 14 team the Chiefs.
In October the fly-half-cum-full-back was left a little dejected when he wasn't protected by the Highlanders and was snapped up by the Chiefs.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore told Wilson he had concerns about his injured ankle, which ruled him out of the entire Air New Zealand Cup this year.
"I talked to him for about five minutes and he said he was a bit worried about my injury. I had kept in touch with him and let him know it was coming right," Wilson told The Southland Times.
"He said he was going to give me another call and talk to me for a bit longer about why I missed out, but I haven't heard from him. It doesn't worry me, though. I'm with the Chiefs now and really pleased to be up here."
He admitted his ankle still wasn't 100 per cent but he was happy with the progress and expected to be at full flight once the Super 14 season rolls around in February.
Wilson was full of praise for the Chiefs set-up, saying he had settled in quicker than expected.
"When I first found out I was going to the Chiefs I was a bit nervous," he said.
"Now that I'm up here, though, and I've got to meet the guys I'm really excited. They've been great. I feel part of the team already."
The settling-in process has been made a little easier for Wilson as he is living with 2008 Highlanders team-mate Toby Morland. The former Highlanders pair are joined by Taranaki lock Craig Clarke in a flat close to the rugby ground in Hamilton.
The 25-year-old said the early indication from Chiefs coach Ian Foster was that he had been selected as the back-up full-back to All Black Mils Muliaina.
While the job of tearing the number fifteen jersey from arguably the world's best is almost mission impossible, Wilson, as well as anyone, knows injuries do strike and opportunities come.
No doubt, the Southlander would love to take part in next year's showdown between his new team the Chiefs and his old team the Highlanders in his home city of Invercargill on March 14.