Rugby: Return of Wilson rumours are just that

Coach Peter Sloane is unclear about whether former All Black Jeff Wilson intends to play rugby for the Otago Highlanders in next year's Super 12.

Sloane said yesterday that Wilson had not made any decision about his future sporting plans.

"Jeff told us last May that he wanted time out from rugby and we supported him in that," Sloane said. "That is where he is at the moment."

Sloane met Wilson in Christchurch during Otago's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury.

"He looked happy and seemed to be enjoying his break from rugby."

Sloane said he would like Wilson back in the Highlanders squad next year. "He's a pretty class act and we need that."

Wilson's manager, David Howman, said Wilson's recovery from an ankle operation was meeting all expectations, but he was not yet ready to reveal his sporting plans.

There has been speculation about Wilson playing cricket for Otago and rugby for the Highlanders.

"These are rumours only," Howman said. "Jeff has not yet made his mind up. He appreciates the space given him by the New Zealand and Otago Rugby Football Unions and the media to reflect on his future."

Wilson would reveal his future sporting plans to the public when he was ready.

"But that is not right now. He has not yet made up his mind."

The 26-man Highlanders squad will be announced in the first week of December and will have their first meeting from December 11 to 13.

"It is a requirement that we carry out fitness tests on the players at that time," Sloane said. "There will also be one-on-one talks between the players and the coach."

Meanwhile, former All Black John Timu will not be returning to Dunedin to play rugby for the Highlanders and Otago next year.

Timu, aged 31, has completed his three-year contract with the London Broncos rugby league team and it had been rumoured that he would be coming back to Otago.

His father-in-law, Hugh Simmers, said from his home in Wanaka yesterday that Timu and his wife, Katherine, intended settling in Sydney.

Timu played 101 games for Otago from 1988 to 1994 and 50 games (including 26 tests) for the All Blacks between 1989 and 1994, before switching to league.

Simmers said Timu and his wife were expected in Sydney by the end of the month.

"There is no truth in the rumour that John is going back to rugby," Simmers said. "He has finished playing professional sport."

Timu played for the Canterbury Bulldogs for three years after switching to league and his team won the Australian Rugby League crown in his first year.

He switched to the English league with the London Broncos in 1998. During that time he played for the Kiwis and became a double international.

- NZPA