Wilson has been tipped to join his former All Black team-mate, prop Craig Dowd, in a new management team at the under-achieving union.
It will represent the first significant step in coaching by Wilson, who has not coached a team at school, club or provincial level.
He was last in Dunedin as the Otago Rugby Football Union director of rugby, but lasted just 18 months before returning to the farm in Canterbury he runs with his wife, Adine.
The Sunday News reported Wilson and Dowd were likely to replace Wayne Pivac at North Harbour. That is despite interviews for the coaching jobs only starting today, with former All Black and Otago coach Laurie Mains on the interview panel.
Dowd, who played 60 tests from 1993 to 2000, has a reasonable coaching pedigree, having worked with Lions coach Ian McGeechan at English club Wasps.
Wilson's resume is thin, although he has been working at Murray Mexted's international academy in Wellington.
The attraction of Wilson, who also played 60 tests, is that he is an All Black great. His status in the game could be a boon for a union that, much like Otago, struggles to retain or recruit top talent.
Wilson did not rule out returning to coach Otago in some capacity when he left, but there is no indication he is in the frame to join the union.
There is still no decision on the position of Otago coach.
Incumbent Steve Martin appears likely to be-appointed, possibly for one year, even though his third season produced a dismal record.
An announcement is expected this week.
