Jeff Wilson-What could he have been?

[Flem274*]

Asking this because he was a pretty damn good sportsman and, if he had chosen cricket instead, how good could he have been in international cricket?

Personally think he would have been a one day specialist that batted at around number 8. With our injury rate for bowlers in the nineties though, he may well have played a few tests.

 

[Perm]

Not that good IMO. Rugby was his calling.

 

[Smudge]

Would have been handy during the mid-1990s when we were reduced to playing the likes of Justin Vaughan and Grubby de Groen, but I think he would have been usurped once Dion Nash, Chris Cairns et al were all fully fit.

 

[Fiery]

Would have deprived the All Blacks of a legend

 

[Dick Rockett]

He would've been a one day specialist who played a few tests when the injury toll got too high, a la Gavin Larsen.

I was disappointed when he chose rugby, but realistically he was only ever going to choose that path and his legacy suggests it was a wise choice.

I'll always fondly remember his 44 not out in the Hamilton one dayer against the Aussies back in 92/93. What a game - back then 250 was a huge score.

 

[amokk1]

Yep, a classy wing/fullback. I think he would have made the ODI side only.

 

[Francis]

Jeff Wilson-What could he have been?

A match winning try-scorer if it hadn't been for George Gregan.

 

[Days of Grace]

Would have been handy during the mid-1990s when we were reduced to playing the likes of Justin Vaughan and Grubby de Groen, but I think he would have been usurped once Dion Nash, Chris Cairns et al were all fully fit.

Got it in one.

 

[Smudge]

A match winning try-scorer if it hadn't been for George Gregan.

Luckily he put that behind him. A shame that you can't.

 

[Fiery]

Luckily he put that behind him. A shame that you can't.

It seems that you might be struggling too

 

[Smudge]

The only thing I'm struggling with is why Francis has such a vendetta against New Zealand rugby. I'm inclined to think he's Stephen Jones or Brendon Gallagher. It's rather sad to see a (presumably) grown man with such a complex.

 

[Fiery]

The only thing I'm struggling with is why Francis has such a vendetta against New Zealand rugby. I'm inclined to think he's Stephen Jones or Brendon Gallagher. It's rather sad to see a (presumably) grown man with such a complex.

Scaly's rugby mad brother?

 

[Craig]

The only thing I'm struggling with is why Francis has such a vendetta against New Zealand rugby. I'm inclined to think he's Stephen Jones or Brendon Gallagher. It's rather sad to see a (presumably) grown man with such a complex.

I think he has a vendetta against New Zealand in general.

 

[slugger]

jeff willsons decision might have been more to do with money and the mana associated with being an All Black...

 

[Smudge]

jeff willsons decision might have been more to do with money and the mana associated with being an All Black...

Mainly the latter, as rugby union was still (officially) amateur in 1993, although there's no doubt there was money to be made from his reputation.

 

[Richard]

Scaly's rugby mad brother?

Shocking form comparing Beevs to Francis TBH.

 

[Fiery]

Shocking form comparing Beevs to Francis TBH.

Nah. Pretty happy with my form

 

[Richard]

Francis is a good guy IMO. Albeit a rather infrequently-posting one.

 

[Perm]

Shocking form comparing Beevs to Francis TBH.

He was just comparing their attitudes, which are quite similar in regards to their NZ hate.

 

[slugger]

Mainly the latter, as rugby union was still (officially) amateur in 1993, although there's no doubt there was money to be made from his reputation.

what do they call it on talk sport "the donut" thats how the rugby union paid those amateurs...lol