Robin Archer

William Robert "Robin" Archer (19 September 1930 – 9 March 2018) was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach. A first five-eighth, Archer represented Otago and Southland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks.

Early life He was born in Gore to William Charles Archer and Alice Louisa Archer, (née Roberts). His siblings were Watson, Rayna , Linley, Hilary, Jill, Nancy and Aylwyn.

For a period during Robin's childhood the family lived in Invercargill before they returned to Gore.

Archer attended Gore High School where he was a member of the 1st XV between 1946 and 1948.

Playing career As his father had played for the Pioneer Ruby Football Club in Gore, Archer after leaving high school played his club rugby for them.

He went on to study at the University of Otago in 1949 took a break back in Gore in 1950 during which he played for the Pioneer Senior team.

He returned to his studies, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1955.

Provincial career While at the University of Otago he played for the Dunedin Pirates rugby club and in 1953 was selected for the Otago team, eventually playing 24 games for them.

His return to Southland saw him selected for the Southland team in 1956 and was captain from 1956 to 1963 during which they won the Ranfurly Shield from Taranaki in 1959, and beat the Australian rugby team in 1958 and 1962. While no longer captain he was in the Southland side that beat the British Lions in 1966.

He stopped playing in 1966 in order to devote more time to his family.

Coaching Archer later had two periods as coach of the Southland side, from 1973 to 1975 and 1980 to 1981.