Michael O'Donnell (rugby league)

Michael O'Donnell

Personal information
Full name	Michael William O'Donnell[1]
Born	New Zealand
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1970–1986	Marist-Western Suburbs		87	713	0	1668
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1971–1982	Canterbury	48	8	84	0	192
1971–1981	South Island	16
1977–1981	New Zealand	10	2	6	0	18
Source: RLP

Michael O'Donnell is a New Zealand former rugby league player who represented his country in the 1977 World Cup.

Playing career

Originally from the West Coast, O'Donnell was a Schoolboy Kiwi before moving to Canterbury in 1970. He played most of his football at centre, although nine of the Test matches were at fullback.^[2]

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.^[2] 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.^[2]

References

1. ^ O'DONNELL, Michael William - 1977 - 81 nzleague.co.nz
2. ^ ^{a b c} Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.

Persondata
Name	O'Donnell, Michael
Alternative names
Short description	Rugby player
Date of birth
Place of birth	New Zealand
Date of death
Place of death