| Date of birth | 3 April 1955 | ||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Sixmilecross, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | rugby union coach | ||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||
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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 Rhianna in February 2023.[5]
He attended Omagh Academy.
After retiring he became assistant coach of Leinster and later the Scottish national team,[6] both under head coach Matt Williams. After a spell as a full-time physical education teacher and rugby coach at Grosvenor Grammar School and later at Sullivan Upper School, Anderson was appointed head coach of Rainey Old Boys in July 2007.[7]
Anderson coaches Coolmine R.F.C.'s senior first XV. They play in Division 1 of the Leinster League.[8] On 22 March 2011, Willie Anderson led Sullivan Upper School to their second Medallion Shield Victory defeating Limavady Grammar School 17–0.