Gordon Simpson (rugby union)
{{Short description|Scotland international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Gordon Simpson
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| fullname = {{nowrap|Gordon Leslie Simpson}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|9|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Takapuna, New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 1.85 m
| weight = {{convert|110|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| occupation =
| school = Rosmini College
| university =
| relatives =
| position = blindside flanker, openside flanker, number eight
| currentclub =
| youthyears =
| youthclubs1 = East Coast Bays Rugby Football Club
| youthclubs2 = North Shore Rugby Football Club
| amatyears =
| amatteam1 = New Zealand Secondary Schools
| amatteam2 = North Shore Premiers
| amatteam3 = New Zealand U19s
| amatteam4 = New Zealand U21s
| amatcaps1 =
| amatpoints1 =
| years5 = 1998-2003
| clubs1 = North Harbour
| clubs2 = Wellington Lions
| clubs3 = Hurricanes
| clubs4 = Caledonia Reds
| clubs5 = Glasgow Warriors
| clubs6 = North Harbour
| apps5 = 95
| points5 = 175
| totalyears =
| totalapps =
| totalpoints =
| repyears1 = 1998−2002
| repteam1 = {{ru|Scotland}}
| repcaps1 = 15
| reppoints1 = 15
| coachyears1 =
| coachteams1 =
}}
Gordon Leslie Simpson (born 21 September 1971) is a New Zealand-born rugby union player who played as a loose forward, formerly for Glasgow Caledonians and also representing Scotland. He was known by the nickname "badger" because of his ability to win the ball close to the ground.{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12232230.simpson-vows-to-fight-for-his-scotland-place/ |title=Simpson vows to fight for his Scotland place |first=David |last=Kelso |work=The Herald |date=15 November 2000|accessdate=27 March 2022}}
New Zealand domestic career
He began his domestic career in his place of birth, Auckland, New Zealand and began playing there for the North Harbour National Provincial Championship team. Simpson then moved to the Wellington side, the Wellington Lions, in the same competition, while also playing for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
Following his International career, Gordon returned to the North Harbour team, captaining it on a few occasions, one of which being the side's first ever game at its current stadium, North Harbour Stadium. He then retired from first-class rugby, returning to North Harbour's premier grade, having played in the grade more than a decade beforehand.{{cite journal |last1=Simpson |first1=Oliver |title=Gordon Simpson Interview |journal=Oliver Simpson's |date=2022}}
Scotland domestic career
Moving to Scotland in 1998 he initially played for Kirkcaldy RFC, briefly for Caledonia Reds,{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12340794.caledonians-in-line-for-a-south-african-boost/|title = Caledonians in line for a South African boost |work=The Herald |date=31 August 1998|accessdate=27 March 2022}} then for Glasgow Caledonians {{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/scotland-keep-their-noses-grindstone-2477137 |title=Scotland keep their noses to the grindstone |work=The Scotsman |publisher=Johnston Press |date=5 June 2000|accessdate=27 March 2022}} (now Glasgow Warriors).
International career
He qualified to play for Scotland through his maternal grandfather, who was born in the Knightswood area of Glasgow. He made his debut against Australia in Sydney on 13 June 1998. He played in four matches at the World Cup in 1999.
He was recalled to the Scotland side in 2001, after a year where he had been injured.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/1336104.stm |title=Simpson back for Scotland |work=BBC News |date=24 May 2001}} He played in the Six Nations 2000-2001 Championship.
He also represented New Zealand in NZ Secondary Schools, NZ U19 and NZ U21 age-grade levels.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{ESPNscrum|12908}}
{{Scotland Squad 1999 World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Gordon}}
Category:Scottish rugby union players
Category:Scotland international rugby union players
Category:Rugby union players from Auckland
Category:Glasgow Warriors players
Category:Caledonia Reds players
Category:Rugby union number eights
Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players
Category:People educated at Rosmini College
Category:Hurricanes (rugby union) players
Category:North Harbour rugby union players
Category:Wellington rugby union players
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