41-year-old James Wilson returns to playing field
"I’m pretty sure Mum would have enjoyed watching me run around again in a Blues jersey.”
James Wilson’s decision to dust off his rugby boots and play again this year has ticked a few boxes for him.
Wilson carved out an impressive professional career from 2003 through to 2021. It saw him play professionally in New Zealand, France, Japan, and England.
But the former Super Rugby player admits he didn’t quite get the balance right when he finished playing in 2021 and headed straight into the coaching game.
It’s a significant reason why the Stags coach has now decided to pull the boots out again.
He is lining up this season for the Blues Rugby Club’s Senior B team in Invercargill.
The 41-year-old started at first five-eighth in Blues’ 37-21 loss to Bluff on Saturday.
“I’ve been lacking a bit of fitness and I’ve been trying to do bits to get back into training to keep on top of things. But it was kind of boring me because I had nothing to train for, so I thought I’d put the boots back on again and have run around for the Bs.”
He acknowledges coaching can consume you and while playing is not necessarily a hobby away from rugby, it still provides him with another focus outside of coaching the Stags.
“A big part of it is the balance, which I probably haven’t got right since I finished up playing in ‘21 until now.
It was a chat with his wife after his Mum died last year, just before the kick-off of the 2023 NPC season, when Wilson acknowledged he needed a bit more balance in his life.
“Coaching is full-on, and I was just trying to pull a little bit away from that for my own self, physical well-being, mental well-being, and getting that on the right path.
“The big thing for me was, what do I enjoy? I enjoy playing rugby. I love coaching it, but I enjoy playing it as well.
“That’s a big part of the reason I wanted to play again. I’m pretty sure Mum would have enjoyed watching me run around again in a Blues jersey as well.”
There’s another element behind Wilson’s return to playing this year. He wants to help his club Blues in its special 150th year.
After Southland Boys’ High School, Wilson progressed onto the Southland Stags while playing for the Blues club.
It has been over decade since he last lined up for Blues and he was thrilled to be able to now give back as part of the club’s Senior B team.
The team has lapped up the wealth of experience Wilson brings at that level, and he’s enjoyed helping them.
“There are quite a few guys in the Bs that still want to go further and want to play Prems, so it is helping them out which is pretty cool.
“They are enjoying it and I’ve had some pretty cool feedback from it. To be able to do it at Blues is great.”
Blues’ premier team has had a challenging start to its 2024 campaign losing its first four games.
There might be a temptation to look to the Bs and the experience of Wilson to play at the premier grade level again.
Wilson wasn’t all that interested in that prospect though.
“That’s not really something I’d be keen on doing. I wouldn’t enjoy playing at that level anymore.
“I’m definitely keen to help out the boys on the training field, and offer advice, but that is probably where it will get to.
“I’d get nothing out of it, players playing prem would get nothing out of it. Those boys need to be playing.
“Realistically after the weekend, I’m only probably good for 40 to 60 minutes max. The body has taken a bit of a hit over the last 20 or so years.”
On the Stags front, Wilson recently returned from a week in Japan with fellow Stags coach, and Rugby Southland director of rugby, Matt Saunders.
The pair spent time at the Toyota Verblitz club learning from Toyota Verblitz director of rugby Steve Hansen, as well as the likes of Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith.
They also connected with some Japanese players who will travel to Southland this year and line up in the club competition.
“There were some awesome conversations had, obviously with Steve Hansen and his coaching team out there. It was great,” Wilson said.
