Justin O'Neill (born 4 April 1991) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League. He primarily plays as a centre or a winger. O'Neill previously played for the Melbourne Storm, and is a two-time premiership winner; with the Storm in 2012 and the Cowboys in 2015.
Video Justin O'Neill
Background
Born in Warwick, Queensland, O'Neill is of Ni-Vanuatu descent through his mother. He attended The Cathedral School in Townsville, Queensland, and played his junior football for the Hughenden Hawks and Townsville Brothers, before being signed by the Melbourne Storm. As a child, O'Neill held the Australian under-15 long jump record with a mark of 7.60m.
Maps Justin O'Neill
Playing career
Melbourne Storm
In September 2007, O'Neill re-signed with the Storm on a 2-year contract. In November 2008, O'Neill played for the Australian Institute of Sport rugby league team that toured France and the United Kingdom. In 2009, he was selected for the Queensland under-18 team. He was a member of the Storm's S. G. Ball Cup team in early 2009, before moving into their NYC team until 2010. On 4 October 2009, O'Neill scored a try in the Storm's 2009 NYC Grand Final win over the Wests Tigers.
O'Neill made his NRL debut for the Storm on 14 June 2010 against the Sydney Roosters. He scored a hat-trick of tries against the North Queensland Cowboys in round 15. In October 2010, O'Neill was selected for the Junior Kangaroos in their two-match series against the Junior Kiwis. He scored a try in both matches.
On 7 May 2012, O'Neill re-signed with the Storm on a 2-year contract. He scored a try in the Storm's 2012 NRL Grand Final win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on 30 September. In September 2012, O'Neill was named in Vanuatu's train-on squad for their match against Greece on 20 October 2012. O'Neill did not play in the match, though some sources indicate that he did. He was a trainer for Vanuatu in their match against the Solomon Islands on October 2013.
In February 2013, O'Neill played for the NRL All Stars in the 2013 All Stars match. On 22 February 2013, he played in the Storm's 2013 World Club Challenge win over the Leeds Rhinos. O'Neill re-signed with the Storm on a 3-year contract on 14 June 2013.
On 20 December 2014, O'Neill signed with the North Queensland Cowboys on a 2-year contract, after being released by the Storm.
North Queensland Cowboys
O'Neill made his club debut for the Cowboys in round 1 of the 2015 NRL season against the Sydney Roosters, scoring a try. On 4 October 2015, O'Neill was a member of the Cowboys' Grand Final winning side. He scored a try in his side's 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos. At the end of the year he was named the club's most improved player.
On 21 February 2016, he was a member of the Cowboys' 2016 World Club Challenge winning side against the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Stadium. On 1 July 2016, O'Neill re-signed with the Cowboys for a further 2 years, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2018 season.
O'Neill made his debut for Queensland in the 2016 State of Origin, playing at centre in all 3 of their matches. He had previously been a member of Queensland's Emerging Origin after being first selected in 2012, and was named as a reserve for Queensland in 2013.
On 4 October 2016, O'Neill was selected in Australia's Four Nations squad. He made his debut in Australia's Round 2 against Scotland where his nation was successful in a 40-point victory. O'Neill retained his spot at Centre in the Round 3 victory against New Zealand where he ran for a game high 203 metres. He would go on to have a try disallowed during the 14-8 win for Australia. He was named 19th man for the final round of the tournament against England.
O'Neill was named as the 18th man for the 2017 ANZAC Test against New Zealand in May 2017. O'Neill was named at centre for the Queensland Maroons in Game I of the 2017 State of Origin Series. On 1 October, O'Neill started at centre in the Cowboys' 2017 NRL Grand Final loss to his former club, the Melbourne Storm.
Personal life
O'Neill and his wife Chantelle have one child, a daughter named Giselle. His younger brother, Samsen, played for the Cowboys' NYC side and currently plays for the Townsville Blackhawks, while his older brother, Paul, has represented Vanuatu.
Achievements and accolades
Team
- 2012 NRL Grand Final: Melbourne Storm - Winners
- 2013 World Club Challenge: Melbourne Storm - Winners
- 2015 NRL Grand Final: North Queensland Cowboys - Winners
- 2016 World Club Challenge: North Queensland Cowboys - Winners
Statistics
NRL
- Statistics are correct to the end of the 2016 season
International
State of Origin
References
External links
- North Queensland Cowboys profile
- NRL profile
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments