Arthur O'Brien (rugby League)
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Arthur Boniface O'Brien (15 May 1878 – 31 May 1951) CCC Cemeteries Database Results Summary
librarydata.christchurch.org.nz
was a New Zealand rugby union fullback who played club rugby for Guy's Hospital. O'Brien is most notable for playing international rugby for the British Isles team on its 1904 tour of Australia, for which he was also elected team manager.


Rugby career

New Zealand born, O'Brien came to England to study medicine. While a student at Guy's Hospital, he joined the hospital rugby team. In 1904, a British Isles team was formed to tour Australia and New Zealand, and Guy's Hospital provided four members of the team. O'Brien and fellow New Zealander
Pat McEvedy Patrick Francis McEvedy (17 March 1880 – 2 March 1935) was a rugby union player from New Zealand. He has the unique distinction of being on two British Lions tours, but never actually being capped for any nation. McEvedy was born in Southbri ...
, were two of the medical staff chosen to represent the Lions against their home country. As well as being chosen to play, O'Brien was also given the task of managing the British team. Of the 19 matches arranged for the tour, O'Brien played in 16 of them, and selected himself for all four Test games. His first match of the tour, against the
New South Wales Waratahs The New South Wales Waratahs ( or ;), referred to as the Waratahs, are an Australian professional rugby union team representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super Rugby competition. The Riverina and other southern parts of the state, ...
, saw him score four conversions.Arthur O'Brien Lions profile
lionsrugby.com


Place of burial

Arthur O'Brien is buried in Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, NZ in Block 40 Plot 4. His last known address is listed as 70 Papanui Road, Christchurch. He was aged 73.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:O'brien, Arthur 1878 births 1951 deaths British & Irish Lions rugby union players from New Zealand Burials at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch New Zealand rugby union players Rugby union fullbacks Rugby union players from Westport, New Zealand