Willie Walker (rugby union)

William Walker
Birth nameWilliam Charles Aroyn Walker
Date of birth (1978-05-19) 19 May 1978 (age 46)
Place of birthŌpōtiki, New Zealand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight88 kg (194 lb)
SchoolŌpōtiki College
King's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth
Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004 Gran Ducato Parma ()
2004–2006 World Fighting Bull ()
2006–2009 Gloucester 46 (297)
2009–2011 Worcester Warriors 30 (261)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2001, 2011 North Harbour ()
2002–2003 Otago ()
2015– Counties Manukau 2 (4)
Correct as of 19 September 2015
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2003 Highlanders 22 (203)
Correct as of 19 September 2015
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2003 New Zealand Māori
Coaching career
Years Team
2021 Auckland Storm
2021 Blues Women

William Charles Aroyn Walker (born 19 May 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for Gloucester and Worcester Warriors in the Guinness Premiership.[1] He has also played for the New Zealand Maori.[1]

Walker is currently the head coach of the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.[2][3]

Rugby career

Walker debuted for North Harbour in 1997.[4] He later played for Otago in 2002 and 2003.[4] He also played for the Highlanders from 2002 to 2003 before going abroad.[4]

Walker joined Gloucester for the start of the 2006/07 season on a 2-year contract from World Fighting Bull. He made 24 appearances in all competitions during his debut season, scoring 220 points. This included 2 tries against Bath & Bristol. In his second season, he made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring 96 points. He scored 2 tries against Leicester Tigers and Bourgoin. On 22 May 2008, Walker signed a 2-year extension to his contract.

On 13 September 2008, Walker played a key role in Gloucester's victory at The Rec. He scored 1 try, 1 conversion, 2 penalties & 1 drop-goal to help Gloucester to a 21–17 victory.

On 16 May 2009, having played Nine games and scored 74 points whilst on loan to Worcester Warriors from Gloucester, it was officially announced that Walker had signed a 2-year deal with the Warriors, after being released from his contract by the Cherry & Whites.[5][6] This new deal would keep Walker at the Worcester Warriors until 2011.[7]

During his loan spell with Worcester Warriors Walker helped the Warriors achieve a huge derby double over local rivals Gloucester by kicking Worcester to victory both at Sixways and Kingsholm.

Coaching career

Walker was appointed as Head Coach of Auckland Storm for the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup season.[1] He then coached the Blues Women in the first-ever women's Super Rugby match in New Zealand on 1 May 2021.[8][9]

With the announcement of the creation of the Super Rugby Aupiki competition by New Zealand Rugby, Walker was offered the position of Head Coach of the Blues Women for the inaugural season in 2022.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Female High Performance pathways strengthened with the appointment of Storm Head Coach". www.aucklandrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Willie Walker named Blues Coach for Super Rugby Aupiki". www.aucklandrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Strong coaches line up for Super Rugby Aupiki". Blues Rugby. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Long, David (8 October 2015). "Willie Walker prepares for one last hurrah with Counties Manukau". Stuff. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Warriors recruit Walker". Sky Sports. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Warriors confirm Willie Walker signing". warriors.co.uk. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Willie Walker extends Warriors stay". Rugby Week. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Blues, Chiefs to make Super Rugby history with first women's match". 1 News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  9. ^ "nib BLUES WOMEN'S TEAM EXCITED FOR HISTORIC CLASH". Blues Rugby. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2022.