Former Wallabies fly-half James O’Connor has officially signed with the Crusaders for the upcoming 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. The 34-year-old athlete has represented Australia in 64 test matches and accumulated over 120 Super Rugby appearances throughout his career, playing for teams such as the Western Force, the Melbourne Rebels, and the Queensland Reds. O’Connor has recorded nearly 250 points while playing for his country.
As a versatile back, he will join the Crusaders’ first-five options alongside Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara. The Christchurch-based club hopes that O’Connor will not only enhance their on-field performance but also provide valuable mentorship off the field.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Crusaders for the 2025 season and eager to test myself in a new environment,” O’Connor expressed. “Throughout my career, I’ve heard so much about the Crusaders culture and innovation. Experiencing it firsthand and learning a new way of playing the game is something I look forward to.”
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney praised O’Connor as a “world-class and ambitious athlete.” He noted that when the team learned of O’Connor’s availability, they were quick to reach out, recognizing the opportunity to present him with a fresh and challenging experience.
“We have two exciting and talented fly-halves in Rivez and Taha, and James brings a level of maturity that we believe will complement them exceptionally well,” Penney stated. “With his extensive international and varied overseas experience, we’re eager to see what James will add to our team from his 17 seasons in professional rugby. His competitive nature will also ensure that there is strong competition for the number 10 jersey every week.”
O’Connor is expected to join the Crusaders shortly ahead of the team’s first pre-season match, with details regarding the date and opponent to be announced later this month.