Arthur O'Brien
{{short description|British Isles international rugby union player}}
{{distinguish|Arthur O'Bryan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Arthur O'Brien
| image =
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| birth_name = Arthur Boniface O'Brien
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1878|5|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Westport, New Zealand
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1951|5|31|1878|5|15|df=yes}}
| death_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
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| ru_position = Fullback
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 = Guy's Hospital
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| repteam1 = British Isles
| repyears1 = 1904
| repcaps1 = 4
| reppoints1 = 7
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Arthur Boniface O'Brien (15 May 1878 – 31 May 1951)[https://archive.today/20130616134022/http://librarydata.christchurch.org.nz/Cemeteries/interment.asp?id=115361 CCC Cemeteries Database Results Summary] librarydata.christchurch.org.nz was a New Zealand rugby union fullback who played club rugby for Guy's Hospital.[http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/1655.html Arthur O'Brien player profile] Scrum.com 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, were two of the medical staff chosen to represent the Lions against their home country.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100822094359/http://www.guysrugby.com/lions.asp Guys Hospital Rugby Football Club British Lions]}} guysrugby.com 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, saw him score four conversions.[http://www.lionsrugby.com/6012.php?player=74475&includeref=dynamic 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
- [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19510601.2.23 "Obituary: Dr. A. B. O'Brien"]. The Press. 1 June 1951. p 3.
- [https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT19040831.2.71 "Honouring Footballers"]. Lyttelton Times. 31 August 1904. p 9.
{{Reflist}}
{{British and Irish Lions 1904}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Obrien, Arthur}}
Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from New Zealand
Category:Burials at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Rugby union fullbacks