Rugby: Ex-Cantab Ellery Wilson out to nail Bay opportunity

Ellery Wilson, former Canterbury B rugby half back, makes himself at home in Hawke's Bay. Photo/Duncan Brown

In his younger days new Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby halfback Ellery Wilson was a handy swimmer.

Breaststroke was his speciality and he travelled the North Island representing his home town club of Levin. Memories of those days flooded back when he attended the Napier Aquatic Centre shortly after his recent arrival in the Bay.

"I finished competitive swimming when I was 13. My younger brother started beating me ... he was a national recordholder," Wilson said, referring to brother Jarrod, who was Manawatu's Junior Swimmer of the Year in 2001.

Ten years later, don't expect Wilson to give up in his battle for ITM Cup time with the Magpies.

"I've got an opportunity and I want to make the most of it. If Alby doesn't come back I've got a good chance of getting ITM Cup time," Wilson said, referring to one of last year's Magpies halfbacks and former All Black, Alby Mathewson.

"If Alby does come back my job will be to put as much pressure as possible on Chris [Eaton, another of the Magpies halfbacks] and Alby.

"I'm here on a one-year contract and if it all goes well I'll stay longer," Wilson said.

The 2013 Canterbury B team player-of-the-year left Canterbury because he was always the third-string No9 and didn't get the opportunity to step up. However he was quick to point out Canterbury still provided him with the highlight of his career last year.

"I got called into the Crusaders squad as injury cover when Willi [Heinz] was injured. Willi recovered enough to make the subs bench but I still spent a week training with the Crusaders ... it was awesome," Wilson said.

A 2012-13 Canterbury Sevens representative, Wilson played under Magpies head coach Craig Philpott when he coached the 2011 Canterbury Colts.

"We had a pretty good team and won all of our games.

"There were the likes of Dom Bird and Luke Whitelock ... they were among 10 of the squad who went on to Super Rugby level." Wilson first started playing rugby as a 5-year-old with the Athletic club in Levin. He played 1st XV rugby for St Pat's Silverstream in Wellington.

When he was playing for St Pat's he wasn't getting much game time so decided to play rugby league on Sundays to compensate.

Wilson's class in the 13-man code saw him score contracts with West Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles Under-20s.

During these stints he was scouted by former All Black Aaron Mauger to join the Canterbury rugby academy, with which he spent three seasons. During the same three seasons Wilson played for the Crusaders Knights team in the Pacific Rim competition.

Magpies prop Adrian Barone was one of his Knights teammates. Last year Wilson's Canterbury B team lost to Wellington and beat North Harbour.

Wilson will play his Hawke's Bay club rugby for Napier Old Boys Marist. He will coach the NOBM Sevens side at the Marist Sevens in Wellington this weekend while he recovers from a shoulder injury and the following weekend will play at the Hawke's Bay Sevens in Waipukurau.

A big fan of Levin's most famous rugby product, former All Black Carlos Spencer, when he was growing up, Wilson is flatting with Magpies lock Michael Allardice and two other Canterbury academy products, flanker Tom Stanley, who will play for Taradale, and first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington, who will play outside Wilson at NOBM.

"Tyrone and I played well together in Canterbury and we're looking forward to developing our combination here in the Bay," Wilson said.

It didn't take Wilson long to feel at home in Hawke's Bay.

"There was a concert in the Sound Shell the other day ... there was definitely a good vibe there."

When he's not playing or training for rugby Wilson is likely to be found listening to music or playing table tennis. He intends to join the Napier Tennis Club.

He recently completed a three-year Bachelor of Sports Coaching degree and is seeking sport-related employment.

Meanwhile one of Wilson's expected rivals for a Magpies ITM Cup squad berth, former New Zealand under-20s halfback Sheridan Rangihuna, has opted to play in Wellington this season.

Rangihuna's departure will be a huge blow to Maddison Trophy holders Napier Technical.