Favourite of mine growing up.
RIP
As a kid growing up in Wellington in the 70s and 80s, Stu Wilson and Bernie Fraser ruled rugby in the city, and starred for the ABs
Bloody hell, he was only same age as me too. One of my favourites, for playing and personality. Had us in stitches when he and Bernie were in Levin promoting their book. Loved watching him play
Bugger. One of the key players in the renaissance of AB rugby after the shit years of the early '70's. Have his & Fraser's book (Ebony and Ivory?) somewhere.
Way too young.
@sparky said in Stu Wilson RIP:
Rest In Peace
Some great memories there. (And some interesting bits at the end: was it Ricky Cowan with that League try?)
As a uni student I went to his cafe once, Wilson's Cafe on Ponsonby Road. A guy served me and was really friendly. I thought to myself that guy looks familiar. It took me a few seconds before realizing.
I believe poor Stu may have had a few problems with alcohol at some points in his life. This might have been a contributor to his early death.
Heard Mex on Grumpy Old Man Radio this morning talking to Sean Plunket.
Apparently had a coffee with him that morning just a few hours before. 
Had a stent didn't he? Lucky to survive a train ride in Romania according to Hewson
Shittings! He was my favorite player as a kid even though he played for the evil Wellington. Remember sitting in the stands in Carisbrook cheering him over the line (against Scotland I think(?)) after my dad and I had eaten lunch in the same Chinese restaurant as the All Black team by chance. Absolute heaven!
I actually didn’t mind him commentating. Bought a bit of over exuberance at times, but you could tell he really enjoyed it.
His combination with Bruce Robertson was one of the best centre/wing duos we have produced.
@ACT-Crusader said in Stu Wilson RIP:
I actually didn’t mind him commentating. Bought a bit of over exuberance at times, but you could tell he really enjoyed it.
His combination with Bruce Robertson was one of the best centre/wing duos we have produced.
He was a very good commentator and great fun. His reference to performing a 'disco haka' might be frowned upon today, I'd say he'd get a few complaints !
Definitely enjoyed a drink to put it mildly from what I saw of him.
I'm a bit young to remember him playing but those highlight reels indicate he was some player, seemed to beat tackles that he had no right to beat ( kind of like an early version of Cory Jane, also a funny bugger off the pitch )
RIP.
@booboo said in Stu Wilson RIP:
Favourite of mine growing up.
Mine too, as a winger.
I still remember the terrace crowd at Rugby Park giving him some verbal shit as he walked up to the then commentary box post his playing days.
My first Test Match being at the ground was the 1981 Lancaster Park match.
We were spat on as we went in and the police presence was very unKiwi as they had no idea how to handle the fans and the protesters.
Stu scored the winning try.
He ran the best angles.....It was like Moses parting the seas...............
Vale to one of the legends!
Came into the abs when I was in high school,
Was a breath of fresh air at the time, he brought a lot of pace and excitement,
My lasting memory was he looked very different to what we had seen previously with his running lines and angles
@sparky said in Stu Wilson RIP:
Rest In Peace
Forgotten how bloody fast he actually was. Howlett-like.
@Victor-Meldrew said in Stu Wilson RIP:
@sparky said in Stu Wilson RIP:
Rest In Peace
Forgotten how bloody fast he actually was. Howlett-like.
Also reminded me how good Bruce Robertson was.