Michael O'Donnell (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Michael O'Donnell is a New Zealand
former rugby league
player who represented his country
in the 1977 World Cup
.
before moving to Canterbury in 1970. He played most of his football at centre, although nine of the Test matches were at fullback.
O'Donnell played for the Marist-Western Suburbs club in the Canterbury Rugby League
competition between 1970 and 1986. In 1972 O'Donnell shared the Turner and Le Brun Cup as top-equal goalscorer in the competition.
He first represented Canterbury in 1971 and went on to earn 48 caps for his province and also represent the South Island
. He first made the New Zealand Kiwis in 1977 for the World Cup
and went on to play in 28 matches for the Kiwis, scoring 68 points (6 tries, 25 goals), including ten Test matches between 1977 and 1981. He was unavailable for the Kiwis in 1982 and broke his leg early in the 1983 season.
O'Donnell moved to Auckland in 1986 to pursue business interests.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player who represented his country
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
in the 1977 World Cup
1977 Rugby League World Cup
- Final standings :-Final:Great Britain were the underdogs going to the final, which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They managed to dominate the possession, and it took a last minute try from Australia’s John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators.Australia: Graham Eadie;...
.
Playing career
Originally from the West Coast, O'Donnell was a Schoolboy KiwiJunior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
before moving to Canterbury in 1970. He played most of his football at centre, although nine of the Test matches were at fullback.
O'Donnell played for the Marist-Western Suburbs club in the Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
competition between 1970 and 1986. In 1972 O'Donnell shared the Turner and Le Brun Cup as top-equal goalscorer in the competition.
He first represented Canterbury in 1971 and went on to earn 48 caps for his province and also represent the South Island
South Island rugby league team
The South Island rugby league team represents the Southern Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. The Zone represented the Southland, Otago, West Coast, Canterbury and Tasman districts. They are nicknamed the Scorpions...
. He first made the New Zealand Kiwis in 1977 for the World Cup
1977 Rugby League World Cup
- Final standings :-Final:Great Britain were the underdogs going to the final, which was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They managed to dominate the possession, and it took a last minute try from Australia’s John Kolc to secure the Cup in front of 24,457 spectators.Australia: Graham Eadie;...
and went on to play in 28 matches for the Kiwis, scoring 68 points (6 tries, 25 goals), including ten Test matches between 1977 and 1981. He was unavailable for the Kiwis in 1982 and broke his leg early in the 1983 season.
O'Donnell moved to Auckland in 1986 to pursue business interests.