{{Short description|Cook Islands international rugby union player}} {{expand French|topic=bio|date=October 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2014}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Sam Anderson-Heather | image = | fullname = Samuel George Anderson-Heather | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|02|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Dunedin, New Zealand | height = {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|104|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = | university = | relatives = | position = Hooker | currentclub = {{Rut|Otago}} / {{Rut|Highlanders}} | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2012–2018 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Otago}} | apps1 = 62 | points1 = 45 | years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Highlanders}} | apps2 = 1 | points2 = 0 | years3 = 2018 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Crusaders}} | apps3 = 1 | points3 = 0 | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | amatcaps1 = | amatpoints1 = | repyears1 = 2018 | repteam1 = Cook Islands | repcaps1 = 2 | reppoints1 = 0 | repyears2 = | repteam2 = | repcaps2 = | reppoints2 = | clubupdate = 3 december 2020 | repupdate = 3 december 2020 }}
'''Sam Anderson-Heather''' (born 15 February 1988) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a hooker for {{Rut|Otago}} in the ITM Cup<ref name="Sam Anderson-Heather Otago Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.orfu.co.nz/otago-team/player-profile/1/sam-anderson-heather.aspx | title=Sam Anderson-Heather Otago Rugby Player Profile | work=Otago Rugby | accessdate=25 May 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200726/http://www.orfu.co.nz/otago-team/player-profile/1/sam-anderson-heather.aspx | archivedate=25 May 2014 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the {{Rut|Highlanders}} in Super Rugby.<ref name="Sam Anderson-Heather itsrugby Player Statistics">{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur_26908.html | title=Sam Anderson-Heather itsrugby Player Statistics | work=itsrugby.co.uk | accessdate=25 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Sam Anderson-Heather ESPN Scrum Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.espnscrum.com/newzealand/rugby/player/125392.html | title=Sam Anderson-Heather ESPN Scrum Player Profile | work=ESPN | accessdate=25 May 2014}}</ref>
==Career==
Anderson-Heather's early career was largely injury hit and despite being named in the Highlanders wider-training squad in both 2010 and 2011 he barely featured. 2012 saw an upturn in his fortunes and he got regular game time at ITM Cup level. The departure of Shota Horie to the Melbourne Rebels in 2013 saw him firmly installed as back-up to Liam Coltman for the Otago Razorbacks.<ref name="Sam Anderson-Heather Otago Player Profile"/>
Injuries to 2 of the Highlanders 3 senior hookers in the middle of the 2014 Super Rugby season saw Anderson-Heather called up as short-term injury cover. He made his Super Rugby debut on 24 May 2014 as second-half replacement for Ged Robinson in a 30–32 loss to the {{Rut|Crusaders}}.<ref name="Highlanders vs Crusaders 24 May 2014 Match Breakdown">{{cite web | url=http://sarugby.net/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=114564&category=sarugby/superrugby&leagueid=1574&homeid=16214&awayid=16194&fullview=true | title=Highlanders vs Crusaders 24 May 2014 Match Breakdown | work=SA Rugby | accessdate=25 May 2014}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson-Heather, Sam}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:Rugby union hookers Category:Otago rugby union players Category:Highlanders (rugby union) players Category:Rugby union players from Dunedin Category:Crusaders (rugby union) players Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen {{NewZealand-rugbyunion-bio-1980s-stub}}