Willie Anderson (rugby union, born 1955)

Willie Anderson
Date of birth (1955-04-03) 3 April 1955 (age 69)
Place of birthSixmilecross, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Occupation(s)rugby union coach
Rugby union career
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Ireland

Willie Anderson (born 3 April 1955) is a rugby union coach and former Ireland international. A lock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain.[1] In one notable appearance as captain against the All Blacks, Anderson led his side into a confrontation with their opponents while they were performing the haka.[2]

While on a 1980 tour in Buenos Aires, Anderson was imprisoned for three months by the Argentinian authorities after attempting to smuggle a flag from a government building. He was later cleared of "demeaning a patriotic symbol".[3]

In a memorable moment, Anderson along with his French rugby counterpart Jean 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 proudly read 'Our Willie's bigger than your Condom!'.[4] Willie is also the father of fashion designer Jonathan Anderson who designed the Super Bowl performance outfit worn by the singer Rihanna in February 2023.[5]

He attended Omagh Academy.

  1. ^ "Anderson given Scots role". BBC News. 28 May 2004. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Anderson bucks the trend". BBC Sport. 15 November 2001. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  3. ^ "NZ tour in turmoil: 6 other tours hit by trouble". The Daily Telegraph. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  4. ^ O'Donnell, John (28 August 2010). "It was a bit of a kip, but it was our kip". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Rihanna chose Jonathan Anderson, the son of former rugby international Willie Anderson, to create a striking Super Bowl outfit". Newsletter.co.uk.