Picture: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
New Zealand’s champion rugby union side, the Crusaders have signed former Wallaby James O’Connor for next season.
His signing was announced by the Crusaders on Friday, October 4
The 34-year-old played 64 tests for Australia and earned more than 120 Super Rugby caps for the Western Force, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds.
He has scored nearly 250 Test points.
A utility back, he’ll join the squad at first-five eighth and is expected to mentor local prospects Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Crusaders for the 2025 season and eager to test myself in a new environment,” O’Connor says in a statement released by the Crusaders.
“My whole career I’ve heard so much about the Crusaders culture and innovation so to experience it first-hand and learn a new way of playing the game is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney says O’Connor is a “world-class and ambitious athlete”.
“When we heard he was available we reached out as we thought we could offer him something new and challenging,” he says.
“We have two exciting and talented 10s in Rivez and Taha, and James brings a level of maturity that we believe will complement them exceptionally well.”
The former NSW coach says that his Crusaders team is “looking forward to what James can bring to our environment from his 17 seasons of professional football”.
“He’s also a competitor and ambitious, which will ensure there is weekly competition for the 10 jersey,” Penney says.
The Crusaders are keen to fill the void created by Richie Mo’unga’s departure for Japan at the start of the year.
The side is coming off one of their worst finishes in recent memories as the 2023 champions missed the finals.
Last month, the Reds farewelled O’Connor who says he will return to Qld rugby as a coach.
He has completed a Level Two coaching certificate, served as a First XV assistant coach and worked with last year’s Queensland Under-16s and Under-18s.
