Wilson (33), who wore the colours of the Otago Rebels, the Southern Sting and the Southern Steel during her lengthy career, is one of several former Silver Ferns in the NZNPA Legends side playing the Steel at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
While Steel captain Jodi Brown expressed nerves about playing such a talent-laden side, Wilson said the phrase ''class is permanent'' was about the only thing her side would be clinging to on Saturday.
''I think we're hoping that, because the fitness won't back us up,'' Wilson said from Auckland yesterday.
''We'll be relying on old heads.''
The Legends concept arose from a discussion between the players' association about providing pre-season options for ANZ Championship sides, Wilson said.
''We remembered the old Keas concept when the Silver Ferns played retired Silver Ferns and got some hit-outs, so this is kind of where the idea for this came from.''
Wilson will be joined by other players with links to the three professional netball sides to operate out of Otago and Southland in the past 15 years, including Tania Dalton, Belinda Colling and Anna Galvan.
''We wanted to make sure that everyone had a link [to Otago and Southland],'' she said.
''For myself, it's always nice to go back as well when you've had a link to a community, a team and a stadium, so everyone's very much looking forward to it.''
Wilson made a one-game comeback for the Steel last year to help out in a shortage. She has been stepping it up over the past three months, although she is quick to quash any thoughts of another return to professional netball for her or her Legends team-mates.
''At the end of last year, I did a boot camp, so I've been doing that for the last 12 weeks,'' Wilson said.
''It's been fun getting organised exercise again - it's been a bit of a challenge, which has been great.
''No-one's inspired to make a comeback, that's for sure.''
The less-structured exercise regime of keeping tabs on sons Harper (4) and Lincoln (2) has kept Wilson and her dual-international husband Jeff on their toes as well.
''That's built-in fitness - you've just got to do it - especially when it's two boys who literally don't stop unless they're sleeping,'' she said.
''It's great that they're so active, but yes, it can be tiring.''
