Crossing the Line by Willie Anderson
Synopsis
Irish rugby has produced many charismatic figures over its history. None more than Willie Anderson.
Immortalised for his defiant stance in the face of the All Blacks’ Haka, the Ulsterman is notorious also for his time spent locked up by the military junta in Argentina for a prank gone wrong. But there is more to Willie Anderson than newspaper headlines. Crossing The Line is the story of a life challenged by sectarianism, alcohol addiction, and personal tragedy. It is the story of a triumph over adversity.
Anderson is unique in his range of experience across Irish rugby. During his three months in custody in Buenos Aires, between remand and house arrest, he kept a diary, including the love letters written to the woman he would marry, Heather Buckley. Almost a decade later he earned further notoriety when, as Ireland captain, he marched into the middle of the All Blacks’ Haka in Lansdowne Road, prompting the International Rugby Board to put in place a protocol around that piece of theatre.
'Crossing the Line' is the story of a life challenged by sectarianism, alcohol addiction, and personal tragedy. It is the story of triumph over adversity.
Reviews
'A brilliant read' Paul Kimmage
'Anderson’s absorbing new book Crossing the Line, is certainly not your average rugby yarn. The former Ulster and Ireland captain’s lively new book spans sectarianism, survivor’s guilt and the sterility of modern rugby.' The Guardian
'One of the very best rugby books I’ve read' Murray Kinsella
About the Author
Willie Anderson 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. Wikipedia