Declan O'Donnell

Declan O'Donnell is a New Zealand international rugby sevens player. He made his World Series debut in the 2010–11 season, and became an overnight sensation after he scored three tries for New Zealand during the final of the 2011 Wellington Sevens against England. O'Donnell made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in 2012, but was delisted at the end of the season, and joined the Dunedin-based Highlanders in 2013.

Early life O'Donnell is from Waikato. He is of mixed Irish-Maori descent he affiliates to Ngāti Tuwharetoa and Ngāti Porou iwi. O'Donnell attended Hamilton Boys' High School, Within weeks of his discovery, he was on the main squad. O'Donnell made his debut for New Zealand sevens team in the 2010 Dubai Sevens. After the first three legs of his debut season, O'Donnell had already scored 17 tournament tries. His hat-trick in the final of the NZI Sevens made him an instant national hero, O’Donnell pled guilty in June 2011 to common assault. The charges against him were later reduced, meaning no conviction was recorded. The bouncer was later convicted of assault after it was revealed he had kicked O’Donnell's brother in the face during the initial altercation.