In 1950 he and his wife Norma moved to Picton for that purpose from where he represented for Southern Division against the touring 1950 Great Britain side.
He returned to St George in 1952 cementing a regular first grade position from 1953 and he soon earned a reputation as a rugged enforcer and fierce protector of his teammates.
Wilson tormented his Balmain Tigers opposition three-quarters in both attack and defence and set up both his own wingers for a number of long dashes.
Larry Writer himself suggests that the send-off may have soured Wilson's relationship with club officials in spite of the victory.
These views aside, at 35 years of age, the clubs saw the end of Wilson's playing career to be looming and his contract was not renewed.
In the twilight of his career aged 36 in 1963, with his new club, North Sydney Bears showing sparkling early-season form, Wilson was selected as captain for New South Wales in the interstate series against Queensland and then was honoured with the national captaincy for the domestic Test series of 1963 against New Zealand following injury to Arthur Summons.
An electrician by trade, Wilson contracted at the Kurnell Oil Refinery while it was being built from 1952 to 1965[6] and was promoted to electrical supervisor.
[citation needed] He was the publican and licensee at the Freemason's Hotel in Gympie, Queensland at the time of his death in 1993 of a cerebral haemorrhage following a stroke.