DUNEDIN - The Highlanders' management are happy for their Super 12-contracted players to have a life outside rugby.
That assurance came yesterday from manager Des Smith, responding to radio reports which suggested All Black Jeff Wilson was heading for a slap on the wrist for playing cricket at the weekend.
Wilson, a former New Zealand cricket international, had a spell as a substitute fielder for Auckland in the Shell Trophy match against Otago at Carisbrook on Saturday.
"It was an impromptu thing and we don't see it as an issue," Smith said. "Jeff is a responsible and mature person and he made sure he was not put in a situation where he could be injured.
"Cricket is one of the most popular activities within the Highlanders squad and it's not true at all to suggest we were unhappy with what he did."
The Highlanders play their first Super 12 match against Queensland in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Apart from Wilson's brief return to cricket, flanker Josh Kronfeld wielded the willow in a friendly match against the Black Caps yesterday, making a copybook tackle on Adam Parore when he went for a quick single, and halfback Byron Kelleher was a guest competitor at the Dunedin Festival trolley derby.
Extra-curricular activities were an important part of the Highlanders' rugby preparation, Smith said.
"They've got to lead a life outside rugby and in fact we encourage them to do so," he said.
"I can't think of anything particularly risky which the players are told not to do. The guys are all mature adults and doing things outside rugby keeps their minds ticking over."
- NZPA
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