Fourteen times Super Rugby champions the Crusaders are set to unveil signing of Wallabies veteran James O’Connor ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition per reports.
First reported by the New Zealand Herald, it is understood that O’Connor who’s parents are from New Zealand is close to finalising a move to Christchurch.
Now 34-years-old, O’Connor, who played 63 tests for the Wallabies, left his previous team, the Reds, for an unnamed overseas club last month.
It is understood that the utility back would fill the void left by Richie Mo’unga following the All Blacks’ move to Japanese Rugby ahead of last season.
Since bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old for the Western Force in 2008, O’Connor has featured in 127 Super Rugby matches for the Force, Melbourne Rebels and Reds. In addition to his time in the Southern Hemisphere, O’Connor has spent time in European Rugby with London Irish, Toulon and the Sale Sharks.
According to reports, this is not the first time that O’Connor has considered making a move to New Zealand. News about a potential move to the Chiefs circulated back in 2021 before Rugby Australia vetoed the transfer.
Should O’Connor make the move, he will join a Crusaders side that missed the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time in a decade following the departure of head coach Scott Robertson and several All Blacks stars.
Since Robertson and Mo’unga left, the Crusaders have tried five different flyhalves in Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara, David Havili, Riley Hohepa, and Burke.
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