Willie John McBride

Willie John McBride MBE ( born June 6, 1940 in Toomebridge, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, born as William James McBride ) is a former Irish rugby union player who as second - row players for the Irish national team and the British and Irish Lions played. With its five Tour participations and 17 test matches for the Lions, he is the record holder of this representative team.

McBride made ​​his international debut for Ireland in 1962 against the English selection. In the same year he was nominated for the first time for the Lions. Until the Lions tour of 1971 he lost with the crew of nine test matches in a row. At first he did not want to play for the team due to poor organization and the associated losses continue, but Carwyn James was able to convince him to be active for the Lions again. Against New Zealand, he was part of the selection, which so far was able to win a series against the All Blacks for the only time. Three years later he increased this success yet, in which he led the Lions in South Africa to an unbeaten tour. The series against the Springboks was also because of the 99 call in history. On the acclamations of 99 each player hit an enemy or helping a teammate who was attacked. With this tactic they tried to gain respect for the accused as unsportsmanlike South Africans.

McBride was a primarily as a successful player in the history of the Lions, but he also celebrated with the Irish national team successes. 1965 scored the first victory of the country against South Africa and an away win in Australia, the first one of the Home Nations at all. In 1975, he finished his career. In his last home game he put the only attempt in the jersey of Ireland.

In 1980 McBride on his coaching career and led for four years, the Irish national team. In 1983 he also took over the management of the Lions in their tour to New Zealand, but not nearly as successful as was 1971, then the selection lost all four games against the All Blacks.

1997 McBride was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. In 2004 he was elected by Rugby World magazine for Rugby Personality of the Century. He strongly committed to the Wooden Spoon Society, which campaigns for the promotion of disadvantaged young people.