New Zealand flanker Brendon O’Connor played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers for his entire MLR career.

Qualified to represent England through his grandmother, O’Connor was born and raised in New Zealand, playing rugby while attending Gisborne Boys’ High School. He represented the New Zealand U20 side as they won the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009, before joining Canterbury in the ITM Cup (later the Mitre 10 Cup, now the NPC) whom he represented between 2010-2011, winning back-to-back championships, and was a member of the Crusaders squad in 2012, earning 2 Super Rugby appearances before returning to the ITM Cup with Hawke’s Bay, where he played from 2013-2015.

O’Connor signed with the Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2015/16 Premiership Rugby season in England, and represented them through 2019 earning over 70 Premiership appearances. Following this impressive stint in the English top flight, O’Connor returned to Hawke’s Bay to play in the NPC between 2019-2021, before joining Super Rugby Side the Sunwolves in Japan for 2020, and a return to the Crusaders in 2021.

O’Connor joined Rugby New York ahead of their 2022 season, and was a stand-out in his debut season in North America. He started all 17 of his appearances, scoring 2 tries and gaining over 600m with possession. On defence he completed 238 tackles finishing 3rd league-wide as the Roosters advanced to the Championship Final, lifting the shield after a controversial playoffs and a 30-15 victory over the Seattle Seawolves. For his efforts in 2022 O’Connor was named MLR Forward of the Year. O’Connor would return to New York (now the Ironworkers) for the 2023 season, earning an additional 8 appearances.

After New York announced it would not be competing in the 2024 season, O’Connor returned to his native New Zealand.

achievements

• 2022 MLR Champion: Rugby New York
• 2022 MLR Forward of the Year
• 3rd in MLR Tackling: 2022 (238)