Willie John McBride Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Willie John McBride MBE Irish Rugby Player.He was born in Toombridge county Antrim on Thursday June 6 1940 and was educated at Ballymena Academy, Northern Ireland. His international rugby union debut was on Saturday February 10 1962 against England at Twickenham aged 21.
His international career which lasted from 1962 until 1975, He played in a record 17 tests for the Lions. He was capped 63 times, (12 as Captain) by Ireland. In 1960s when the robust physical play of the All Blacks and Springboks dominated, he was the only forward from the Home Nations who was their match.
Willie-John's outstanding leadership qualities led to his appointment as Captain of the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa. The test series was won 3-0, with one match drawn. It was the most controversial and physical test match series ever played. The management of the Lions concluded that the Springboks dominated their opponents with physical aggression. At that time there were only substitutions if a doctor agreed that a player was physically unable to continue and there were no video cameras and sideline officials keep the punching, kicking, and head butting to a minimum. The Lions decided "to get their retaliation in first" with the infamous 99 call.
In 1975 as his international was ending He played his last game for Ireland at Lansdowne Road. The game was against France and near the end of the match, he scored his first ever try in an international match. It was the crowning moment of a great playing career. His last international game was against Wales on Saturday March 15 1975.
After retiring from playing the game, Willie-John coached the Irish team and was manager of the 1983 Lions tour to New Zealand. He lives in Ballyclare in Northern Ireland. In 2004 he was named in Rugby World magazine as 'Heineken Rugby Personality of the Century.'
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