Willie Rickards

Who is Willie Rickards?

Willie Rickards is a professional rugby union player who plays his provincial rugby for Taranaki in the ITM Cup.

Rickards moved south from the North Island to make his provincial debut for Southland during the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup. He spent three seasons with the Stags and made 31 appearances, mainly off the bench. He also had a brief stint with the Highlanders during the 2007 Super 14 season, making 2 substitute appearances.

For the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, Rickards moved to Taranaki, but was ruled out of the majority of the season with a hand injury. On 24 August 2011, he made his first start for Taranaki since 2009 in helping the province claim the Ranfurly Shield from his former club, Southland.

Rickards is currently the Coaching Development Manager for the Taranaki Rugby Union. He will also coach the Taranaki Sevens side in the yearly National Sevens competitions throughout the summer. Next year Rickards will coach Southern in the TRFU Senior A competition.