Timothy O'Connor (Rugby)

Rugger | name = Tim O'Connor


nickname =
birthname = Timothy Beehane O'Connor
dateofbirth = Birth date|1860|01|1
placeofbirth = Kilenenan, Ireland
dateofdeath = Death date|1936|02|05
placeofdeath = Aukland, New Zealand
height =
weight = 89 kg
ru_position = Forward
ru_nationalteam = All Blacks
ru_nationalcaps = 7
ru_nationalpoints = (2)
ru_nationalyears = 1884
ru_clubyears = 1881-83,86-89,92
ru_clubcaps = 19
ru_clubpoints = (Unknown)
ru_proclubs = Auckland Combined Clubs

Timothy Beehane O'Connor was a New Zealand Rugby player who played for the All Blacks in 1884. O'Conner was also a very good field athlete, winning the 1893 Australasian shot put title.

Early career

Tim O'Connor began his rugby career playing for the "Auckland Combined Clubs" in 1881 under the North Shore club. By the time he was in his early 20s, there were few better rugby players anywhere in Auckland. In 1883, he was a member of the first Auckland Union representative team and scored the province's first try against Canterbury, gaining Auckland's first point (tries were only worth one point in those days).

All Blacks

In 1884 O'Connor was included in the New Zealand side to tour Australia. This selection came after having a couple of strong seasons for "Auckland Combined Clubs" also his bulk (at 89 kg, he and James Allen were the heaviest forwards team) and pace, surprising for such a big man, made him an invaluable tourist. O'Connor played in seven of the mathes that year and managed to score a try in the fourth against N.S.W. in [Sydney] .

Later life

After the 84' tour he came back to resume his club rugby for the Auckland club. He stuck with Auckland up until he played his last year of rugby for Ponsonby. After one season for Ponsonby O'Connor then served for a few years on the Ponsonby committee before turning his attention to the now defunct City club (which had basically taken over the Auckland club's area) and served as auditor to that body for many years. O'Connor's talents were not just in rugby, he was also a notable field atlete as he won the 1893 Australasian shot put title and three at national level (1891, 1892 and 1897), adding another Australasian title in the hammer throw in 1893.

References

* [http://stats.allblacks.com/Profile.asp?ABID=664 All Blacks Profile]