Beneath the promise the Highlanders have shown this season and their frustration at slipping to three consecutive losses has been some concern at their inability to kick the important goals.
Four different players have had attempts but it is Wilson, the 24-year-old Southlander in his second season, who has had the most pressure on his boots, and two weeks in a row he has had an opportunity to get a better result for his team.
Against the Brumbies, he was astray with a relatively straightforward late penalty in a two-point loss, and last weekend he missed two long-range kicks, including one at the hooter that would have sealed a draw against the Waratahs.
‘‘It was a tough kick but it was in my range. I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't think it was,'' Wilson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
‘‘I feel I'm hitting the ball OK, though I've probably been better. It's taken a bit of getting used to the new balls we're playing with because the leather is tougher and they don't travel as far. But I'm not using that as an excuse.''
The Highlanders have been blessed with good kickers from Tony Brown to Nick Evans, with a cameo from Cameron McIntyre in 2005. Daniel Bowden had the job in the opening round but Wilson will have the duties against the Hurricanes tonight and does not shrink from the pressure that comes with the job.
‘‘I'm totally fine with it. You want to be the guy that steps up and wins those games in clutch situations. That's why you kick goals and that's why you play rugby.
‘‘I don't feel too much pressure. It's more that I've been given an opportunity.''
Wilson was selected for the Highlanders in October after playing nine games as a replacement player last year.
Tonight is his third consecutive start at fullback, but he still hankers for a chance to play first five-eighth and there have even been whispers he will eventually be tried at centre.
For now, he is enjoying developing his game and being the back-runner in a radically overhauled Highlanders backline that has been given the licence to try things by coach Glenn Moore.
‘‘We didn't see it against the Waratahs because of the weather. But we've got a really exciting backline, we've got some firepower and we can get things going when we start to offload,'' Wilson said.
‘‘We've had a few little mistakes that have crept in, but that's just us trying things.
‘‘We're young and we want to be enthusiastic. At least we're trying things and we're going hard at it. We can't go into our shell and just play hit-up footy. The new rules are helping and I think we've looked promising.''
Wilson said the team was frustrated not to have a win on the board but suggested it was overdue.
Most would agree. The Highlanders have the early bye next week and would hate to come back in round six winless.
Moore has pointed out the bonus points gained in the early rounds could be crucial, and that the Highlanders could be in a reasonable position if they beat the Hurricanes and come back with games against the Force, the Chiefs and the five South African sides that they believe they can win.
The Highlanders have been forced into a late change to their starting line-up, with regular openside flanker Alando Soakai pulling out with a slight ham string tear. His replacement is Tim Boys, who starts a Super 14 game for the first time in two years.
The Hurricanes, buoyant after a fine win against the Chiefs have made four injury-related changes, with Tim Fairbrother named at tighthead prop (replacing Neemia Tialata) and Scott Waldrom starting at openside (replacing Chris Masoe).
In the backs, Tamati Ellison returns from two weeks on the sideline with a bruised thigh to play at second five-eighth in place of Tane Tuipulotu, and Shannon Paku starts at fullback in place of Cory Jane, who injured his hip against the Chiefs.
Jane's injury breaks a run of 16 consecutive games as Hurricanes fullback since his debut in the first round last year.
While the Highlanders have regularly battled against the leading New Zealand sides, they have normally been competitive against the Hurricanes.
Last year, there was only one point in it in Wellington, and in 12 previous meetings between the sides, the Hurricanes have won seven and the Highlanders five.
The Hurricanes have won only twice at Carisbrook. That, the return of inspirational captain Craig Newby and the fact the Highlanders believe they are not far away from clicking, gives them confidence tonight can be their night.
