'Still life in the old legs' as James Wilson eyes Japanese chapter

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Former Stags player James Wilson has signed to play for the the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars in Japan.

James Wilson's remarkable rugby journey continues.

The 35-year-old Southlander has signed another professional contract, this time with the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars.

Wilson will join the Japanese club following the English season where he is currently part of the Bath set up.

The versatile back told English media that it had always been his intention to make the move to Japan after his time in England.

* Standout Southland Stags player performances acknowledged

* New Zealand rugby player James Wilson set to join Bath in English Premiership**

'I'm really looking forward to continuing my rugby career over there.'

Wilson's rugby journey started out as a youngster in Invercargill where he impressed at Southland Boys' High School before playing his senior club rugby for Blues.

As a 20-year-old he debuted for the Stags and ended his first stint with the Southland in 2011 as a Ranfurly Shield winning hero after kicking a dropped goal against Canterbury.

He also had stints with Super Rugby teams the Highlanders and Chiefs before leaving New Zealand rugby at the end of 2011.

Wilson initial joined French club Bourgoin, before having stints with English clubs Northampton Saints (93 games), Bedford Blues (2 games), and Bath (22 games).

He did have a break from Bath when the club had salary cap problems. He returned to line up for Southland in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup where he was named the Stags' player of the year.

As his second stint with Bath now nears an end Wilson has reflected on what has been a successful seven year tenure playing in England.

'I can't thank enough the friends and family who supported me while I've been here doing what I love in a place I now call my home [England],' he said via social media.

'I've been welcomed with open arms from day one, firstly by Northampton, where I have made friends for life, where I felt apart of a family, and where we went on an achieved feats in the game a lad from a small town in New Zealand would never dream of.

'Bath gave me a second home when I needed one…[I] still have a moment every now and then because I've got to live in and play in this beautiful city, for this great club.

'I'm forever grateful for this game, the highs and lows that come with it, on and off the field.

'As my time in the UK and another chapter in my career is closing after seven years, another chapter opens in Japan.

'There's still life in the old legs yet.'

Other Kiwi players at the Japanese club which Wilson will join include, Jordan Taufua, Dan Hawkins, Michael Little, and Matt Vaega.

Wilson brought plenty of experience to the Stags setup last year and he will be missed this year.

He played both in the midfield and at first five-eighth during Southland's 2018 campaign.

The Stags decision-makers have acted by signing Chiefs first five-eighth Marty McKenzie who last played for the Southland in 2013 after playing 26 for the Stags.

McKenzie played a further 36 games for Taranaki from 2014 until last year.