Full name: Christopher Daniel Anderson
Nickname: Ando, or Mr. Incredible (but like only when he was out of shape)
Place of birth: Dubbo, NSW, Australia
Current city: Singapore, Singapore
Years in rugby: Almost 30 years
Position: 6 or 8. Too slow for 7 these days.
Superpower: I can be completely out of breath but somehow still continuously shout commands on the pitch. Plus I was able to play enough and enjoy it enough to represent the Philippines for five years after playing with significant hearing loss for the vast majority of my rugby playing career.
Tell us about yourself and what you do outside rugby?
I’m currently studying full time to become an early years teacher while raising 3 kids and a puppy and doing my best to keep myself on my wife’s good side.
When and how did you start with Manila Nomads?
In early 2011, I first heard about Nomads from a mate who had played for us. I emailed (then captain) Jon Morales, but I didn’t hear anything back, so I forgot about it until my mate hassled me again. So in January 2012, I turned up at the club and got into training. I vomited everywhere due to the heat/night before. I got my first run 3 weeks later against Jakarta Komodos in the South East Asia Cup.
What is your favorite rugby move, skill or position?
I love playing as a loose forward. We get all the set pieces, like scrums, lineouts, and kick-offs, plus all the chaos of open play. The work rate is demanding, and the transition between the forward pack and backline can be tricky, but I love it. I started playing as a fullback and have played at almost every other position on the field, but 6, 7 & 8 are the best positions in the game!
How many years have you played with the Manila Nomads and what unforgettable experiences have you had in the club?
7 years in total, with some downtime due to a few broken bones and torn ligaments. I was fortunate to arrive in 2012 and stay until 2018, the two occasions we won the Plate at the Manila 10s. In 2018, we had a very strong 10s squad throughout the whole club, and for the first time ever, Nomads and Carabaos met in the Plate semi-final. Playing your mates is always tough, but this one was as tough as any game I’ve played. We ended up winning 5-0 and went on to win the Plate, but it made me happy to see the club getting back to such strength after a couple of very lean years.
Tell us about your role and contribution in the club off the pitch.
I started out just like any other player, but a social club such as this, people are always required to step up into leadership roles. I was fortunate enough to step into a role and stayed around long enough to see the Club evolve quite a bit. I got into building the Club’s social media presence a few years ago, while I was Club Captain, and have since been able to hand that off to a few very dedicated young members. In the last few years, we have managed to solidify our place on the rugby landscape again and have started to re-formalise our structure. So with that, I took on the role of Club president and set a few things in motion that, with the help of many others, have thankfully come to fruition, such as our women’s program and our kids development setup.
Do you still keep in touch with any friends you made from your time at the Manila Nomads?
Yes, the great part of being a Nomad is that once you’re in, you’re a Nomad for life. We have Nomads scattered all over the globe, so it’s not uncommon to have friends coming to visit or keeping in touch quite often. Online I hear from members every day, it’s a wonderfully social club.
Any message to anyone who wants to try rugby?
Rugby is one of the only games that is truly for everyone, and at Manila Nomads, we are always looking for new members. So join the team, learn the game, and enjoy the ride!
