Wilson ready to ignite Wulf's career

North Harbour's new assistant coach, Jeff Wilson, believes he can help re-ignite Rudi Wulf's Test career.

North Harbour's new assistant coach, Jeff Wilson, believes he can help re-ignite Rudi Wulf's Test career.

Wulf, having played in four Tests already this season, was not included in Graham Henry's plans for the end-of-year tour.

In the same week that Wulf heard he was not to tour, Wilson, a former All Black himself, joined a new-look coaching team at North Harbour.

And now the man to play both international rugby and cricket for New Zealand will work alongside yet another former All Black, in the shape of Craig Dowd.

Despite Wulf's non-inclusion in the tour Wilson believes the young wing has a very bright future ahead of him.

“I have met him a couple of times and really like the kid,” Wilson told Yahoo!Xtra.

“I think he has a real ability.

“He has obviously got a determination about him. And when you are working with people with that sort of attitude, you can always improve them.”

Wulf was not a million miles away from making the tour squad, with Wayne Smith describing the decision as a 'tough call', although cited a weakness that had gone against him.

“One of those is explosive speed and ensuring his first 10 metres is as good as his 40 metres,” Smith said.

“I have no doubt he will work on getting that right. It was a pretty tough decision.”

In his day Wilson was one of the fastest players available to the All Blacks, and he was quick to highlight North Harbour's poor season as a problem for Wulf, in that he was not able to shine at the business end of the season.

He added a player's top speed, and their willingness to back themselves, was also linked to confidence; something clearly lacking from the North Harbour team this season.

“There are certainly things you can do for that,” Wilson said.

“But let's be honest though, if you want to make selection for the end-of-year tour the longer you are playing, the better opportunity you will get.

“Rudi didn't get selected for the All Blacks out of a team that is not performing well. For that to happen you have to be exceptional in your play.

“I think our first responsibility is to get the team performing well. Then individuals will have the opportunity to show what they are capable of.

“I think that is where Rudi and Anthony (Tuitavake), with the Blues showed a number of people that they can be extremely effective with what they can do.

“We have to create a game that those guys can shine in. It is just those little things.

“Acceleration, that can be a confidence thing, knowing when it is time to put on the gas, when it is time to have a crack.”

For Wilson it was not a difficult decision to make, joining Harbour, and despite a poor season last year Wilson is excited to be given this chance.

“The talent is something that helped me jump at the opportunity,” Wilson said.

“Looking at guys who have been involved in the All Blacks, Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf, then you have other talented players like Mike Harris, Nafi Tuitavake, Jack McPhee and Chris Smylie was the player of the Air New Zealand Cup two or three seasons ago.

“There is plenty of ability there. It is just a matter of giving them the confidence to perform.

“We are confident there is plenty of talent there. I need to find out what makes them tick and try and help them as best as I can to find out where they want to go.”