James O’Connor

O’Connor in 2011, photo by Michelle Cop/www.bigstockphoto.com/

Birth Name: James David O’Connor

Place of Birth: Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Date of Birth: 5 July, 1990

Ethnicity: Irish, English, possibly other

James O’Connor is an Australian professional rugby union footballer. A fly-half, centre, fullback, and wing in rugby union, he plays for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, and was previously with Force, Rebels, West Harbour, London Irish, Toulon, and Sale Sharks, and the Australia national team. In national sevens, he also played for the Australia national team. He has been labelled “the Justin Bieber of Australian rugby.”

James is the son of parents from New Zealand. His maternal grandparents are from South Africa. This meant that he was eligible for all three major Southern Hemisphere rugby nations.

James’ paternal grandfather was Maurice Edward Odlin “Lofty” O’Connor (the son of Joseph O’Connor and Alice Kathleen Odlin). Maurice was a WWII veteran, from Wellington, New Zealand. Alice was the daughter of George Edward Odlin, who was born in Yorkshire, England; and of Catherine O’Sullivan.

James’ paternal grandmother was named Elaine.

Sources: https://www.instagram.com

Information about James’ paternal grandfather, Maurice Edward Odlin “Lofty” O’Connor – http://www.stuff.co.nz
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com

Obituaries of James’ paternal grandfather, Maurice Edward Odlin “Lofty” O’Connor – http://notices.nzherald.co.nz
https://www.findagrave.com