Anna Mary Richards MNZM (born 3 December 1964) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. She represented New Zealand at four World Cups1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010.[1][2][3]

Anna Richards
Date of birth (1964-12-03) 3 December 1964 (age 59)
Place of birthTimaru, New Zealand
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight67 kg (148 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1989–2008
1986–1988
Auckland
Canterbury
13
(22)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990–2010 New Zealand 49 (64)
Coaching career
Years Team
2013–17  Hong Kong Women's 7s
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Women's rugby union
Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1998 Netherlands Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2002 Spain Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2006 Canada Team competition
Gold medal – first place 2010 England Team competition

Rugby career edit

Richards played representative tennis and netball before debuting for the Black Ferns on 26 August 1990.[3] She was a member of the first official New Zealand women's sevens team, who took part in the 2000 Hong Kong Sevens.[4][5] She captained the side again at the 2001 tournament.[6]

Richards played 54 matches for the Black Ferns of which 49 were full internationals.[7] In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours, She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to women's rugby.[8]

Coaching career edit

Richards was appointed as head coach of the Hong Kong women's sevens team in 2013.[9][3] She completed her coaching role at the end of 2017.[10][11]

As at January 2023 she is the women's player development manager at Auckland Rugby.[12]

Hall of Fame edit

Richards was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame on 17 November 2014.[7][13] She also has a law degree and a BA.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "World Cup Windback: 2006 Black Ferns". allblacks.com. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Black Ferns World Cup squad named". NZ Herald. 26 July 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Johnstone, Duncan (5 November 2013). "Black Ferns legend Anna Richards gets new role". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  4. ^ "2000 New Zealand Women's sevens team - Where Are They Now?". All Blacks. 17 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Looking back: Black Ferns Sevens in Hong Kong (2000)". allblacks.com. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Richards to lead New Zealand women at Hong Kong sevens". ESPN scrum. 6 March 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b IRB.com (10 November 2014). "2014 Inductee: Anna Richards". Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 6 June 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  9. ^ Jacqueline, Rachel (22 March 2014). "Black Ferns legend Anna Richards aims to instil winning mentality in Hong Kong women". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Anna Richards announces end of Hong Kong Sevens Role". Hong Kong China Rugby. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  11. ^ Agars, Sam (21 December 2017). "Goodbye, Anna Richards, wherever it is you've gone and for whatever reason". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Black Ferns legend returns to join Auckland Rugby's High Performance team". www.aucklandrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  13. ^ allblacks.com (19 November 2014). "Former Black Ferns Richards and Palmer inducted into Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2014.

External links edit