Vinnie Anderson


Vincent Manase Mohenoa "Vinnie" Anderson is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for Villegailhenc-Aragon XIII in the Elite Two Championship. A New Zealand international representative or, he previously played for StHe lens, Warrington Wolves and the Salford City Reds in the Super League, the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and Elite One Championship side AS Carcassonne.

Background

He is the elder brother of Louis and Fraser Anderson, and is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Early years

Anderson played for Northcote Tigers and Mount Albert Lions in the Auckland Rugby League competition before transferring to East Coast Bays Barracudas to play alongside his father Warrick. His father later coached the Barracudas to the 2003 Fox Memorial title.

New Zealand Warriors

Anderson debuted for New Zealand Warriors in Round 17 of the 2002 National Rugby League, playing against Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park on 7 July 2002. That year the Warriors went on to the 2002 NRL Grand Final, which they lost 30–8 to Sydney City Roosters.
In 2003 he played as New Zealand Warriors fell one victory short of a consecutive Grand Final appearance.
At the end of 2003 Anderson made his International début for New Zealand national rugby league team in the 100th match between the New Zealand and the Australian team. Playing as a, Anderson scored two tries as the Kiwis won 30–16.
Anderson also played for the 2004 New Zealand Tri-Nations side. The campaign was unsuccessful although he did manage to score tries in all but one of the 4 test matches against Australia and Great Britain. The tour also saw the start of brother Louis Anderson's Test career.
Before departing at the start of the 2005 NRL season for the Super League, Anderson had carved a reputation for tough tackling and good ball skills.

St Helens

Anderson signed St. Helens in 2005 after the Rugby Football League refused to register him as a player because of the London sides financial problems at the time.
Anderson fit well into the St Helens flamboyant style of rugby league and formed a deadly right-hand side combination with Jamie Lyon and Darren Albert.
In his 2 years at St. Helens they finished as League Leaders in 2005 and then won both the Challenge Cup and Super League in 2006.

Warrington

Vinnie joined Warrington in 2007 for £50,000. He was joined at Warrington in the 2008 season by brother Louis Anderson, who signed for the club from New Zealand Warriors.
Anderson played for Warrington in the 2009 Challenge Cup Final, scoring a try in the process of defeating Huddersfield 25–16.
He played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.

Salford

Anderson joined Salford in 2011.

Carcassonne

Anderson joined AS Carcassonne following his release by Salford. He was involved in a controversial incident in 2013 when he received a five-match ban for punching during a Challenge Cup match against Workington Town.