James O’Connor addresses potential All Blacks switch before stunning Wallabies recall
Crusaders and Wallabies fly-half James O'Connor.
James O’Connor has addressed the possibility of him playing for the All Blacks before he was recalled to the Wallabies squad ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series.
The 35-year-old playmaker starred for the Crusaders en route to winning the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title, which led to suggestions that perhaps he could turn out for New Zealand later this year.
World Rugby’s birthright law would accommodate this switch, given that the Australian-born back’s parents are New Zealanders.
He would have had to stand down from international rugby for three years, which he was on track to do before his recall to the Wallabies squad, having earned the last of his 67 Tests caps for Australia in the then-record 67-27 defeat to Argentina in San Juan in August 2022.
Ex-Wallaby Jack Dempsey used the same law to represent Scotland, and several others have done the same, including Israel Folau, who made the switch to Tonga.
Jean Kleyn represented Ireland at the 2019 World Cup before winning the tournament with South Africa in 2023, while multiple ex-All Blacks have gone on to play for the Pacific Island nations like Charles Piutau, George Moala, Vaea Fitita (all Tonga), Lima Sopoaga and Steven Luatua (Samoa).
‘Always Green and Gold’
But for O’Connor, that was never something that he even considered despite his family ties to New Zealand.
” It was always Green and Gold,” he said at the Wallabies squad announcement at the Suncorp Stadium.
“This is my country, there were never conversations about playing for the ABs.”
Still, he thoroughly enjoyed his time in New Zealand with the Crusaders, stating that it surpassed his lofty expectations.
While he was not willing to offer up too much insight on the club’s processes, he confirmed that he would be using the experience to aid the Wallabies as they chase a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.
“It’s been an incredible journey, I had expectations going over there and they surpassed it massively,” he added.
“I understand now why the Crusaders are such a successful club. Without giving too much away, it was special and I learnt so much just being part of it.
“Shedding some light on it, some of that experience might help as well.”
