Julian O'Neill (New Zealand rugby league) explained

Julian O'Neill
Fullname:Julian O'Neill
Birth Date:24 July 1973
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Height:188cm (74inches)
Weight:109kg (240lb)
Club1:Waitakere City
Year1start:1994
Year1end:95
Club2:Auckland Warriors
Year2start:1995
Year2end:96
Appearances2:16
Tries2:0
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:0
Club3:St Helens
Year3start:1997
Year3end:00
Appearances3:126
Tries3:5
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:20
Year4start:2001
Year4end:02
Appearances4:25
Tries4:2
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:8
Club5:Widnes Vikings
Year5start:2002
Year5end:05
Appearances5:96
Tries5:4
Goals5:1
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:18
Teama:USA
Yearastart:1999
Yearaend:00
Appearancesa:3
Triesa:2
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:8
Updated:8 Sep 2020
Retired:yes
Source:[1]
New:yes

Julian O'Neill (born 24 July 1973) is a former United States international rugby league footballer who spent most of his career playing in the Super League. His position of preference was at .

Background

O'Neill was born in Auckland, New Zealand.

Early years

After attending Liston College, O'Neil started his career with the Marist Saints before making the Waitakere City Raiders side in the Lion Red Cup.[2]

He was an Auckland Warrior 1995-1996 where he played a crucial role in laying a platform for the reserve grade to reach the 1996 grand final.

Playing career

St Helens

In 1997 O'Neill moved to England and joined the St. Helens in the Super League competition where he gained the club's highest tackler and most offloads in the 1997 season. He played for St. Helens at prop forward in their 1999 Super League Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls.

O'Neill went on to play in 126 games for the Saints, including being involved in the side that won the 1997 Challenge Cup and 1999's Super League IV title. Having won the 1999 Championship, St. Helens contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with O'Neill playing at prop forward in the loss. O'Neill played for St. Helens at prop forward in their 2000 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors.

Widnes

In 2001 O'Neill joined the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats but at the end of the 2001 season was signed by Widnes Vikings to boost their forward pack.

O'Neill spent four years at the Vikings, playing in 96 games for the club. In 2003 he played alongside namesake Julian O'Neill, who adopted the nickname Jules to avoid confusion.[3] [4] [5]

Return to Auckland

In 2006 he returned to Auckland, playing for the Auckland Lions in the Bartercard Cup.[6] He also made the New Zealand Residents side that competed in the 2006 Trans Tasman Quadrangular Series.[7] He scored a try in the Auckland Lions 2007 Bartercard Cup Grand Final win over Harbour League.

In 2009 O'Neill played in the Fox Memorial competition for the Mt Albert Lions and was awarded Man of the match.

Representative career

O'Nell represented NZ playing for the residents team in 1996 and again in 2006O'Neill also represented the United States national rugby league team.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Julian_O-Neill__NZ_.html RLP
  2. Richard Becht. A New Breed Rising: The Warriors Winfield Cup Challenge. Auckland, HarperCollins, 1994. . p.183
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/apr/07/rugbyleague Widnes get a shot in the arm from new crown Jules
  4. http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/How-Julian-ONeill-got-his-name-back/2005/02/08/1107625211855.html How Julian O'Neill got his name back
  5. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2360379/ONeill-duo-give-Widnes-cutting-edge.html O'Neill duo give Widnes cutting edge
  6. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-12189801.html Coach talks up his pride
  7. http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=1913 Rangers Campaign Gets Underway
  8. Web site: Rugby League project. Julian O'Neill - Career Stats & Summary. 8 Sep 2020.