Ex-Wallabies star set for shock move to New Zealand Super Rugby powerhouse – report
The Crusaders are set to bolster their ranks with the signing of an experienced Wallabies international, according to a report.
New Zealand Herald are claiming that playmaker James O’Connor is close to agreeing a deal with the franchise ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
O’Connor is searching for a new club after leaving the Reds at the end of the previous Super Rugby campaign.
The fly-half, who can also play in multiple other positions across the backline, stated last month that he would be joining “an overseas club”.
Most expected that to be further from home in either Europe or Japan, but it appears as though the Crusaders will be his next destination.
Kiwi connection
It makes sense from a personal standpoint with both of O’Connor’s parents from New Zealand and the playmaker holding a Kiwi passport.
The Christchurch-based outfit are on the lookout for some experience having lost Fergus Burke to English Premiership side Saracens, after losing Richie Mo’unga the season before.
That has left youngsters Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara vying for the role, with the decision being made to stop the David Havili fly-half experiment from next season.
Kemara in particular is highly thought of at the Crusaders, but having someone of O’Connor’s class and know-how would potentially aid his development.
The 34-year-old made his professional debut as a teenager in 2008 and would make his Wallabies bow later that year.
He was seen as the next great hope of Australian rugby but injuries and off-field controversies hampered his international career.
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Move to Europe and his return
O’Connor therefore moved to the northern hemisphere following a stint at the Melbourne Rebels, playing for London Irish, Toulon and Sale Sharks in Europe.
In 2019, the playmaker moved back to Australia and signed for the Reds, playing well enough to earn an international recall.
His last Test appearance came in 2022, however, as he missed out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Following the conclusion of the global tournament, O’Connor featured just four more times for the Queensland-based franchise, with his final match coming against Wales in July.