| Born | (1955-04-03)3 April 1955 (age 70) Sixmilecross,County Tyrone, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||
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| Occupation | rugby union coach | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Willie Anderson (born 3 April 1955) is arugby union coach and formerIreland international player. Alock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain.[2]
While on a 1980 tour in Buenos Aires, Anderson was imprisoned for three months by the Argentinian authorities after attempting to smuggle aflag from a government building. He was later cleared of "demeaning a patriotic symbol".[3]
In one appearance as captain againstNew Zealand, Anderson led his side into a confrontation with their opponents while they were performing thehaka.[4]
Anderson along with his French opponentJean Condom, unwittingly became the subject of an amusing banner spotted by TV cameras in the crowd during a 5 Nations rugby match at Lansdowne Road in Ireland's championship campaign of 1985. The banner read 'Our Willie's bigger than your Condom!'.[5]
Anderson attended Omagh Academy. He is the father of fashion designerJonathan Anderson (JW Anderson) who designed theSuper Bowl performance outfit worn by the singerRihanna in February 2023.[6]
After retiring he became assistant coach ofLeinster and later theScotland national team,[7] both under head coachMatt Williams. After a spell as a full-timephysical education teacher and rugby coach atGrosvenor Grammar School and later atSullivan Upper School, Anderson was appointed head coach ofRainey Old Boys in July 2007.[8]
Anderson coaches Coolmine R.F.C.'s senior first XV. They play in Division 1 of the Leinster League.[9] On 22 March 2011, Anderson led Sullivan Upper School to their second Medallion Shield Victory defeating Limavady Grammar School 17–0.
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