'I've loved my time here' - O'Connor prepares for Crusaders' swansong
Crusaders first-five James O'Connor has confirmed that Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific grand final against the Chiefs will be his last game for the red and blacks.
The former Wallabies player has been linked with Leicester in England, but, while he would not confirm that, O'Connor did say today that he won't be staying in Christchurch.
'It will be my last game for the Crusaders,' he said. 'It's been an awesome journey. It was only planned for one season, that one moment. There was a bit of chat of maybe sticking around for another year because I was loving it so much… but you've got two young men who are incredible players… they've got some awesome battles to come.'
Asked where he was heading to, O'Connor replied: 'I can't tell you that just yet.'
The consistency and leadership shown by O'Connor, 34, at the Crusaders this year has put him back in the Wallabies' frame after being on the outer over the past few years.
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A mentor to Rivez Reihana, 25, and Taha Kemara, 22, O'Connor has brought a maturity – and usually from the bench on game day – that has helped the Crusaders considerably this season.
It has helped them recover from a woeful 2024, during which they won only four matches and finished outside the playoffs, to an 11-3 regular season and playoff victories over the Reds and Blues.
It will be O'Connor's first Super Rugby grand final. Identified early as a player of great promise, O'Connor, who was born on the Gold Coast to Kiwi parents and lived in Auckland as a child, made his Wallabies debut at the age of 18 but never quite found his niche in the international game or in Super Rugby.
Rivez Reihana, pictured before the semifinal against the Blues in Christchurch. (Source: Photosport)
He played 64 Tests but his versatility was both a blessing and a curse and he never nailed a specialist position in the international game.
He also bounced around the Force, Rebels and Reds at Super Rugby level during a rugby odyssey that included London Irish, Toulon, the Sale Sharks and now the Crusaders.
O'Connor is now on the brink of a championship which he said 'means everything".
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"To be honest, this whole week so far has already been incredible. You can feel the vibe has changed… it's the calm before the storm.
'I've been in the game quite a while and it's my first Super final. I'm proud of the efforts our team has gone to after last year and the rebuilding. I'm grateful I've come to such a great club and been given such an opportunity and been able to step up.'
Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific grand final against the Chiefs will be his last game for the red and blacks. (Source: 1News)
O'Connor had never previously been in a Super Rugby semifinal, but last weekend's tough victory over the Blues in Christchurch ticked that box and he said he would leave fulfilled no matter the result on Saturday.
'I came with a skillset and I guess a base of knowledge about the game… it has invigorated me. I've loved my time here - they're good men. I feel like my rugby has gone to another level in some areas as well.'
Asked how O'Connor had carried himself this week ahead of a significant match in his career, head coach Rob Penney said: 'Like a blowfly in a glass jar and for those very reasons. At this stage of his career – he said at the outset when we had early conversations that he could help us get to a final… well he's certainly done that.'
Reihana said of O'Connor: 'He's brought a lot of knowledge that he's been able to provide on and off the field. He's been special for us.'
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Looming large for O'Connor, Reihana and the rest of the Crusaders is Chiefs No.10 Damian McKenzie.
Penney said of McKenzie: 'He's a courageous, champion player. You can focus too much on one but he's someone who is a threat… but they've got threats across the park.'
Asked how the Crusaders would nullify McKenzie's threat, O'Connor said: 'You tell me. It's a good question. We've been trying to work that guy out for some time.'
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