O'Brien and fellow New Zealander Pat McEvedy, were two of the medical staff chosen to represent the Lions against their home country.
[3] As well as being chosen to play, O'Brien was also given the task of managing the British team.
Of the 19 matches arranged for the tour, O'Brien played in 16 of them, and selected himself for all four Test games.
His first match of the tour, against the New South Wales Waratahs, saw him score four conversions.
[4] Arthur O'Brien is buried in Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, NZ in Block 40 Plot 4.