Jeff Wilson's sporting odyssey will take him into yet more new territory, as the 32-year-old is understood to have signed to be technical director at the Highlanders and Otago.
The former All Black and Black Cap and current horse trainer has been lured into a coaching role at his old province after enjoying stints at Murray Mexted's International Rugby Academy.
Otago executives hope that Wilson, arguably one of the most gifted players to come out of the region, can build a coaching career as successful as the one he enjoyed as a player.
Although Otago made the final of the NPC last season, the province has struggled in recent years, with few high-quality players being produced by the region and crowds dwindling to embarrassing levels.
The fortunes of the Highlanders have not been much better. The Super 14 side finished a disappointing campaign on Friday night, losing to the Reds for a final tally of 27 points which came from six wins and seven losses.
In 11 years of Super rugby, the Highlanders have made just one final and last made the playoffs in 2002.
While they have consistently produced sturdy forward packs over the years, it has been some time now since Otago unearthed outside backs with real pace and invention.
At the peak of his powers, Wilson was branded by former All Black coach John Hart as the most gifted player in the world and Otago will be looking for him to add some vision and enterprise.
At the Highlanders he will work with head coach Greg Cooper and forwards coach Phil Young, much in the same way as Warren Gatland provides input at the Chiefs to aid head coach Ian Foster and forwards coach Farrell Temata.
Otago have appointed Steve Martin as coach for this year's Air New Zealand Cup and the rookie will welcome the presence of a legend in the camp.
It is thought that Wilson, who did not return calls yesterday, is keen to build a serious career in coaching.
It would be another chapter in a stunning sporting career that began when he was selected to play cricket for New Zealand as 19-year-old. In the same year Wilson made a stunning All Black test debut, scoring three trys against Scotland. He played 60 All Black tests between 1993 and 2001, scoring a total of 44 tries that leaves him second on the all-time list behind Christian Cullen.
When he retired from rugby he returned to professional cricket and he made the Black Caps last year.
Wilson may return to Otago as coach
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