Andrew O'Brien

Andrew James O'Brien (1897–1969) was a New Zealand rugby footballer who represented New Zealand with the All Blacks and in rugby league.

Rugby union career

O'Brien began his career playing rugby union for Marlborough between 1919 and 1921. He also played for a combined Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay-Motueka side against the 1921 Springboks in the side's 26–3 defeat. He finished the tour having played in 3 games and scored one try. Returning to Auckland, O’Brien played his first game for the union late in the 1922 season. In 1923 he played five games for Auckland.

Rugby league career O'Brien in support of Lou Brown on 11 July against NSW at the SCG in 1925. thumb The NZ 1st test team at Carlaw Park on 4 August 1928 to play England. thumb O'Brien standing upright behind the action with his legs obscured. O'Brien switched to rugby league in 1924, joining Marist in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He played for Auckland and made the New Zealand national rugby league team for three tests against the touring Great Britain Lions side that year. He toured Australia in 1925 and gained another two Kiwi test caps playing against Great Britain when they toured again in 1928. In 1929, he served as the secretary of the Marist club.