 O'Connor's international rugby league début in the first test of the mid-season Trans-Tasman series against New Zealand on 6 July 1986 at Auckland's Carlaw Park saw him become Australia's 37th dual code rugby international following Ray Price and preceding Ricky Stuart.Playing on the , Snoz kicked 3 goals in a 22-8 Australian win.He then went on to kick 4 goals as Australia wrapped up the two match series 2–0 with a 29–12 win at the SCG.