Hayden Meikle counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
Number 115: Wilson's golden performance (1997)
It was, by comment consent, one of the great individual displays by an Otago player as Wilson, almost single-handedly it seemed at times, ensured it retained the Mike Gibson Memorial Trophy.
It was as if Wilson played this match on another planet as he gave it his own royal stamp.
He scored the match-clinching try when he gathered a pass on his fingertips and raced 45m to the line; he set up two tries for wing Manasa Bari; he made try-saving tackles on Tana Umaga and Karl Te Nana; and, time after time, he turned back Wellington attacks with his exceptional positional play and his booming boot.
As captain Taine Randell and Josh Kronfeld, among others, were forced from the field with injuries, Wilson inspired his team-mates and deflated the Wellingtonians.
Otago finished fifth in the national championship that year but Wilson's virtuoso performance left an indelible imprint on the season.
This was a rare occasion when the deeds of an individual transcended those of his team.
