Wilson unlikely to get go-ahead to play

James Wilson is off crutches but is unlikely to get the okay to front in Southland's Ranfurly Shield game against North Harbour on Friday night.

The Stags management were hoping to have the Blues pivot available for selection this week but co-coach Simon Culhane said yesterday his recovery was a little slower than first hoped.

Wilson had a strong start to the Stags campaign, firstly through the preseason Ranfurly Shield games against Wanganui and North Otago, and then against Manawatu and Otago in national provincial championship games. However Wilson took a knock to his thigh in the leadup to the Counties game which caused swelling.

He was expected to return to play against Tasman but further swelling meant he was rushed into surgery while with the team in Blenheim.

Culhane said at the moment it was matter of giving it time for the cut to heel before Wilson stepped back out onto the playing field.

Southland could potentially be without No8 Kane Thompson for the round seven game in Invercargill on Friday night.

Thompson is carrying a couple of injuries and is likely to be replaced by 21-year-old Elliot Dixon who has impressed in his debut season with the Stags. If Thompson is ruled out Alex Ryan is a likely to contender to replace him in the 22.

While Southland dropped their first game of the season on Saturday to Northland it is hard to imagine Culhane and Stags forwards co-coach David Henderson would react by making a of changes.

Jason Rutledge is expected to return to start at hooker while John Hardie probably will step back into the looseforwards ahead of Dion Bates who has started the last two games.

Mark Wells continues to make a strong case to start somewhere in the backline following his strong display off the bench against Northland.

However just who he would replace is tough, James Paterson struggled a little against Northland but sidelining the star off-season signing after one game would be a big call.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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