Risking The Cupcakes With Beefy Stu (Press, 6 May 1980)

On 6 May 1980, John Collins reported on a light-hearted episode of the television show "How’s That?" featuring All Black full-back Stu Wilson. Collins described Wilson as a larger-than-life character who successfully navigated the studio without falling victim to any mishaps, contrasting him with the show's smaller host, also named Stu. The show involved various activities reminiscent of children's games, offering energetic entertainment rather than serious competition, which Collins noted was appealing to a youthful audience. During the programme, the smaller Stu asked Wilson about the experience of wearing the All Black jersey, to which Wilson expressed that it gave him an immediate sense of stature and strength, likening it to an instant boost of confidence in facing formidable opponents. The smaller Stu seemed inspired and contemplated getting his own jersey. The following day, Wilson appeared again on television during the All Black trials on "Sport on One," looking fit and healthy, contrary to any deceptive impressions from the earlier cupcake segment. In a different segment, Keith Quinn provided commentary during the All Black trials, joined by Graham Thorne, who was noted for his serious and measured approach. Thorne offered insightful analyses with the help of slow-motion replays, helping to elucidate the game for viewers. For example, he described an impressive play by Waikato player Geoff Hines, who bulldozed through eight defenders, with Thorne simply noting, “Firm running by Hines, there.” The report also touched on a separate segment broadcasted by Paul Ransley on "Close-Up," where he covered the Wellington landmark, Carmen, which featured interviews with transvestites and strippers. The piece explored the lives of those working in the area, revealing that some could earn considerable amounts of money, like $300 a night. Ransley managed to present the content candidly, though Collins humorously critiqued the microphone positioning during the interviews that may have been somewhat intrusive in the visuals. Overall, the report captured the blend of sports and entertainment that characterised New Zealand television at the time.

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