James O’Connor, a former Wallabies first-five, has officially joined the Crusaders for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
At 34 years old, O’Connor has an impressive record, with 64 test caps for Australia and over 120 Super Rugby appearances playing for the Western Force, Melbourne Rebels, and the Queensland Reds. He has also accumulated nearly 250 points while representing his country.
As a versatile back, he will join the Crusaders’ lineup as a first-five, working alongside Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara. The franchise is optimistic that O’Connor will bring valuable on-field skills and 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 stated. “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 described O’Connor as a “world-class and ambitious athlete.” He added, “When we learned he was available, we reached out because we felt we could offer him something new and challenging. We have two exciting and talented players in Rivez and Taha, and James brings a level of maturity that we believe will complement them exceptionally well. With his international experience and tenure in various overseas competitions, we’re excited about what James can contribute from his 17 years of professional football. His competitive nature will ensure regular competition for the 10 jersey.”
O’Connor is set to join the Crusaders shortly before the team’s first pre-season match, with the dates and opponent to be announced later this month.