Reuben O'Neill

Reuben Graeme O'Neill (/oʊˈnil/; born 17 February 1995) is a New Zealand professional rugby union footballer who plays as a prop for New Zealand province Taranaki and the New Zealand national team. In his youth career, he was selected to play in the 2012 three-match international programme for the New Zealand Schoolboys and took part in New Plymouth Boys' High School first XV, the top representative team in secondary school.

Reuben O'Neill
Full nameReuben Graeme O'Neill
Date of birth (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995
Place of birthNew Plymouth, New Zealand
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight115 kg (254 lb; 18 st 2 lb)
SchoolNew Plymouth Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Taranaki, Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015– Taranaki 51 (10)
2020– Chiefs 15 (5)
Correct as of 12 June 2022

Early life

Reuben Graeme O'Neill was born on 17 February 1995 in New Plymouth, the son of Jarrod O'Neill and Delwyn McCurdy.[1] O'Neill sustained multiple long-term injuries throughout his early career.[2] In 2011 he underwent an operation to remove a bone cyst on his left foot.[3] Later that year, he was diagnosed with diabetes which he manages daily with insulin injections.[3] He overcame both injuries, playing strongly for New Plymouth Boys' High School first XV and making the Taranaki under-18 side.[3]

After his last year at New Plymouth Boys', O'Neill was enrolled into the 23-man New Zealand Secondary Schools team for a two-match international series in Auckland against Samoa and Australia.[4] He alongside openside flanker Lachlan Boshier were the only two players from New Plymouth that gained selection.[5] O'Neill also was the first prop to make the national side since former New Zealand international and Taranaki representative Gordon Slater.[5]

Professional career

2015–17

Following a back injury, O'Neill was one of four new players that were recruited by Taranaki in preparation to defend their national ITM Cup title for the 2015 season.[6] He made his debut for the province, making the match-day reserves to play Auckland after missing an opportunity to come on as a replacement against Wellington the previous week.[7] O'Neill was involved in the Taranaki under-19 side to compete at the Jock Hobbs memorial tournament later that year.[8] A week out, O'Neill snapped his achilles tendon and would require surgery after suffering a 42–10 defeat in a qualifying match against Waikato in Te Awamutu.[9]

Unavailable to injury in early 2016, O'Neill missed selection in the Chiefs development squad for their tour of Hong Kong in April.[10] His performance at premier club level saw him rejoin the Taranaki squad for their upcoming season after head coach Colin Cooper named his inclusion during the pre-season side announcement.[11] O'Neill started well for Taranaki, scoring his first career try in the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup competition against Manawatu.[12] O'Neill also appeared in their second home semi-final in three years, against Tasman.[13]

O'Neill was one of 22 forwards called up into the 2017 Chiefs 41-man development squad for their second consecutive visit of Hong Kong.[14] He also made two appearances against the Blues development team in March, the first taking place at FMG Stadium Waikato serving as a curtain raiser and the rematch taking place two weeks later at Pakuranga Rugby Football Club in Auckland.[15] O'Neill returned for his third Mitre 10 Cup season with Taranaki after injuries sustained by fellow prop Mike Kainga.[16] He was a part of Taranaki's historic Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury and their impressive top of the table finish.[17]

2018–present

O'Neill gained selection honours with the Canterbury-based side the Crusaders, on 31 January during their pre-season opener against the Hurricanes ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.[18] He then had his selection honours with the Crusaders extended as a short-term injury cover replacement.[19] O'Neill became a regular starter in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup despite featuring in a disappointing Taranaki campaign that finished in last place.[20] He returned to play in the seasons first two Ranfurly Shield defenses against Poverty Bay and Wanganui.[21] At seasons-end he was awarded forward of the year for the union.[22]

Following his 2018 provincial campaign, O'Neill was called up into the wider All Blacks squad to prepare for the Japanese leg of the 2018 end of year tour without making a Super Rugby debut.[23]

O'Neill's versatility, being able to play both sides of the scrum in the prop position, caught the attention of the Chiefs selectors and was named in the franchises squad for their 2019 Super Rugby season.[24]

Statistics
ClubYearCompetitionGPGSTRYCONPENDGLPTSWL%Yellow cardRed card
Taranaki 2015 Bunnings NPC
(incl. Ranfurly Shield)		 300000033.3300
2016 1041000560.0000
2017† 610000083.3300
2018 12110000033.3300
2019 440000075.0000
2020† 1191000536.3600
2021† 5500000100.0000
Chiefs 2020 Super Rugby Pacific 1020000020.0000
2021 531000540.0000
Career 663930001548.4800

Updated: 12 June 2022 Source: Reuben G O'Neill Rugby History

References
  1. "Information about Jarrod Graeme O'Neill". Genealogy. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  2. "Bolters galore: Get to know the eight rookies in the All Blacks' end-of-year tour squad". TVNZ. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  3. "Reuben O'neill Rugby". Pressreader. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  4. "NZSchools team named for internationals". All Blacks. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  5. Murray Hills (20 September 2012). "Selection sweet for Boys' High pair". Stuff. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  6. Glenn Mclean (16 July 2015). "Four new faces in Taranaki rugby squad". Stuff. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  7. William Johnston (15 August 2015). "Taranaki need some fire power in first half for Auckland clash". Club Rugby. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  8. Glenn Mclean (11 September 2015). "Chance to qualify in top division". Stuff. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  9. Glenn Mclean (20 September 2015). "Taranaki under-19 side lose prop ahead of tournament". Stuff. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  10. "Rugby: Chiefs development squad named". New Zealand Herald. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  11. "35 men in Taranaki pre-season squad". Club Rugby. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  12. "Taranaki down plucky Turbos in the wet". Mitre 10 Cup. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  13. William Johnston (22 October 2016). "Taranaki has second home semi in three years". Club Rugby. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  14. Aaron Goile (23 February 2017). "Chiefs name development squad for Blues matches and tour of Hong Kong". Stuff. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  15. "University of Waikato Chiefs Taua Development squad named to take on the Blues Development squad". Chiefs. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  16. Glenn Mclean (7 September 2017). "Prop takes over Taranaki captaincy for Eden Park clash". Stuff. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  17. Robert van Royen (6 October 2017). "Taranaki stun Canterbury to snatch the Ranfurly Shield in Christchurch". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  18. "BNZ Crusaders team to play pre-season match against Hurricanes". Crusaders. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  19. Hamish Bidwell (16 October 2018). "New All Blacks prop Reuben O'Neill had an inkling selection could be on the cards". Stuff. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  20. Helen Harvey (15 October 2018). "Taranaki Bulls horror season comes to end with relegation out of premier rugby division". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  21. Mike Watson (2 August 2018). "Taranaki make 11 changes for Ranfurly Shield defence". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  22. "Riccitelli named player of the year at rugby awards". Taranaki Rugby. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  23. "All Blacks name 51-man squad for northern tour to Europe, Japan". Newshub. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  24. "Super Rugby squads: All you need to know". New Zealand Herald. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
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