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James O'Connor (rugby union)

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James David O'Connor (/d͡ʒeɪmz əwkɔ́nə/; born 5 July 1990), often referred to his initials JOC,[4] is an Australian professional rugby union player who currently plays as a back with the Super Rugby Pacific team the Crusaders. Known for his versatility on the field, he has played multiple positions in the backline, including wing and fullback. However O'Connor's primary position is at fly-half or centre. He made his debut with the Perth-based Super Rugby team, the Western Force, and has since played for two other Super Rugby teams (Melbourne Rebels, Queensland Reds). O'Connor has also played domestically with English teams London Irish and Sale Sharks, as well as French team Toulon.

James O'Connor
O'Connor at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Birth nameJames David O'Connor
Date of birth (1990-07-05) 5 July 1990 (age 34)
Place of birthSouthport, Queensland, Australia
Height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1][2]
Weight93 kg (205 lb)[2]
School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Centre, Wing, Fullback
Youth career
–2008 Brothers
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 West Harbour 1 (10)
2022–2024 Brothers 8 (44)
Correct as of 1 September 2024
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2014 London Irish 15 (100)
2014–2017 Toulon 51 (116)
2017–2019 Sale Sharks 32 (15)
Correct as of 19 May 2019
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2011 Western Force 39 (306)
2012–2013 Melbourne Rebels 21 (201)
2015 Queensland Reds 13 (44)
2019–2024 Queensland Reds 57 (379)
2025– Crusaders 0 (0)
Correct as of 26 July 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Australia Schoolboys 2[3] (0)
2023 Australia A 2 (0)
2008–2022 Australia 64 (279)
Correct as of 14 August 2022
Coaching career
Years Team
2023–2024 Anglican Church Grammar School
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  Australia
Rugby World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2011 New Zealand Squad

Making his international debut at 18-years-old for Australia, O'Connor has earned over sixty caps for the Wallabies, and scored more than 270 points. O'Connor has competed at two Rugby World Cups and was apart of Australia's third-place finish in 2011.

Early life

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O'Connor was born in Australia on the Gold Coast.[5] He lived in Auckland for five years as a child, attending Rutherford Primary School, until the age of eleven when he returned to Australia with his family.[6] O'Connor grew up playing rugby league and earned a scholarship from the Parramatta Eels.[7] He eventually became a boarder at Nudgee College in Brisbane's northern suburbs.[8][9]

In 2006 O'Connor suffered a ruptured spleen,[10][11] but went on to be part of the Australian Schools representative team that played against England, Samoa and New Zealand in 2007.[12]

O'Connor's parents are from New Zealand, and his maternal grandparents from South Africa. This, along with his Australian birth, meant he was eligible for all three Tri Nations teams.[13] However, his decision to play for the Wallabies, and debut in 2008, meant he became ineligible to play for the All Blacks or Springboks.[14] He also played for the Australian Sevens in 2008.[12]

Career

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O'Connor became the youngest ever Super Rugby debutant at the age of 17, and the second youngest Wallaby in Australian rugby history at the age of 18.[13][15]

Super Rugby career

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2008–2013: Early years

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O'Connor joined the Force in 2008, and came off the bench for his first Super 14 cap in a match against the Reds in Week 10 of the 2008 season. He completed the season's final three matches running on at inside centre.[13] Later that year he made his Australian debut, when he came off the bench as replacement fullback against Italy,.[15] He played Italy again in June 2009 scoring three tries to help Australia to a 31–8 win.[13] In 2009, O'Connor was the Western Force 'Rookie of the Year' award and also won the Wallabies 'Rookie of the Year'.[16]

In 2012 O'Connor commenced a two-year contract with the Melbourne Rebels. His teammates included Nic Stirzaker, fullback Kurtley Beale, centre Mitch Inman, and English international Danny Cipriani.[17][18] He played at fly-half for the Wallabies in three Tests against the Lions and was included in a five-man leadership group for the team.[19] After continued ill-discipline off the field, the Rebels withdrew from contract extension negotiations at the end of the 2013 Super Rugby season and he was released by the franchise.[20][21]

Following a number of off-field indiscretions on O'Connor's part and a drunken incident at Perth Airport, O'Connor's ARU top-up contract was torn up and was suspended from the remainder of the test season.[22] Following this low, O'Connor was in talks with the Western Force and the Queensland Reds however, nothing eventuated and O'Connor was forced to ply his trade offshore.

First stint with Queensland

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In 2015, he returned to Super Rugby in a bid to make the Wallabies Rugby World Cup 2015 squad by playing for the Queensland Reds.[23] O'Connor produced solid performances and was arguably one of the higher performers for a poor Queensland outfit, being shifted between fullback, flyhalf and wing in his first appearances before locking down the Red 15 jersey in the last rounds of the season.[24]

Although a part of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's squads for Wallabies logistics camps throughout the course of the year, O'Connor was not included in the first extended 40-man and subsequently did not feature in any of the squads to follow, including the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. O'Connor was announced to be part of Brisbane City's squad for their NRC title-defending campaign.

On 13 October, the QRU and Queensland Reds announced that O'Connor would be released from his contract effective immediately, meaning he would not play the 2016 Super Rugby season for the Reds and finish his 2-year contract. O'Connor's release also meant the end of a potential appearance for Brisbane City in the domestic NRC had he sufficiently recovered to play.

2019–2024: Resurgence with Queensland

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In July 2019, O'Connor signed a 2-year deal with the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia under what was understood to be strict behavioural clauses.[25] He quickly made his way back into the Australian team for Australia's 47–26 win over New Zealand in Perth, and was subsequently selected in Australia's World Cup squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

In 2021, O'Connor was announced as captain of the Queensland Reds for the Super Rugby AU season, stepping in for the injured Liam Wright.[26] The Reds went on to have an undefeated season under his leadership (as Wright captained their only loss), including winning the Super Rugby AU title in a home final at Suncorp Stadium. He served as co-captain with Liam Wright for the remainder of the 2021 season, including during their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign. In 2022, O'Connor relinquished the captaincy, stating that he had bitten off too much which caused him to burn out.[27]

2025: Move to New Zealand

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At the end of the 2024 Reds season, O'Connor, whom had signed a one-year contract extension with the Reds at the end of 2023,[28] had played an insignificant part of the season for the team. Playing just three regular season matches,[29] all as a substitute, O'Connor rejected another contract offer.[30][31] Following his release, O'Connor was heavily linked with Christchurch-based team the Crusaders in early October 2024.[32][33] On 4 October 2024, it was revealed that the Crusaders had signed O'Connor for the 2025 season.[34][35] Although labelled a 'shock' move in some publications,[36][37] O'Connor was linked with New Zealand Super Rugby franchise, the Chiefs in 2020/21.[32] However, this move was vetoed by Rugby Australia (RA).[32][38] O'Connor also has New Zealander-Australian parents and holds a New Zealand passport.[32]

Career in Europe

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2013–2014: Sojourn in Europe

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O'Connor with London Irish in 2014.

On 28 October 2013, O'Connor indicated that he was en route to London to play rugby for "a few months".[39] He was signed by London Irish in October 2013 until the end of the 2013–14 season. He made his debut against Northampton Saints on 3 November and set up the only try that day. He claimed his first try for the club against Worcester Warriors on 4 January 2014, in a match ending 22–9 to the Exiles with O'Connor scoring all 22 points.

2015–2019: Return to Europe

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O'Connor preparing a kick for Toulon

In 2015, after failing to make the Australian 2015 Rugby World Cup squad with the Reds, O'Connor signed with Toulon, joining former Super Rugby and Wallabies teammates Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Quade Cooper. After allegations of cocaine use and Toulon decided not to renew his contract and thus he left the club at the ending of the season.[40]

In 2017 O'Connor signed with English Premiership club Sale Sharks shortly before the 2017–18 season. After playing 31 games over 2 years, Sale Sharks agreed to a contract release, allowing him to pursue him ambition to play for Australia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[41]

Style of play

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O'Connor is a very versatile player, being able to play anywhere in the back line as a fly-half, centre, full-back or wing and is usually described as a utility back.[42] When asked about his preferred position in 2009, he said, "I feel more comfortable at 12 as a second ball player. I also like 15. You definitely get a lot of space. I just want to get on the field whether it is 10, 12 or 15."[15] He is also an accurate goal-kicker.[42]

Off-field

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Controversies

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O'Connor has been involved in a number of off-field controversies, attracting criticism from senior members of the Wallabies.[43] In September 2013, he was stood down from the Wallabies following an incident in which he was removed from Perth airport by Australian Federal Police.[44] As a result, O'Connor missed the final two matches of the 2013 Rugby Championship and was released from his Wallabies contract by the Australian Rugby Union.[45] In February 2017 O'Connor was arrested together with former All Blacks player, Ali Williams, in Paris on suspicion of attempting to buy cocaine.[46]

Media

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O'Connor was a participant in the second season of reality competition series Australia's Greatest Athlete.[47]

Career statistics

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Domestic

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As of 26 July 2024.[48][49]
Team Season Statistics Score involvements
Comp. Apps. Starts Min. Tries Con. Pen. Drop. Points
  Western Force 2008 Super 14 4 3 243 1 0 0 0 5
2009 11 9 659 5 1 0 0 27
2010 11 11 879 1 15 23 0 104
2011 Super Rugby 13 13 1,036 3 7 47 0 170
Western Force total 39 36 2,817 10 23 70 0 306
  Melbourne Rebels 2012 Super Rugby 8 8 574 2 6 21 0 85
2013 13 12 904 1 21 23 0 116
Melbourne Rebels total 21 20 1,478 3 27 44 0 201
  London Irish 2013–14 Premiership 14 14 1,072 1 13 23 0 100
  Toulon 2014–15 Top 14 11 7 632 4 9 7 0 59
2014–15 Champions Cup 2 0 61 0 0 0 0 0
Toulon total 13 7 693 4 9 7 0 59
  Queensland Reds 2015 Super Rugby 13 13 994 0 13 6 0 44
  Toulon 2015–16 Top 14 14 12 1,016 8 0 0 0 40
2015–16 Champions Cup 3 3 200 0 0 3 0 9
2016–17 Top 14 14 11 817 1 0 1 0 8
2016–17 Champions Cup 4 4 298 0 0 0 0 0
Toulon total 35 30 2,331 9 0 4 0 57
  Sale Sharks 2017–18 Premiership 11 8 611 3 0 0 0 15
2017–18 Challenge Cup 2 2 160 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Premiership 15 13 1,037 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Challenge Cup 3 3 199 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup 1 1 64 0 0 0 0 0
Sale Sharks total 32 27 2,071 3 0 0 0 15
  Queensland Reds 2020 Super Rugby 6 6 446 1 0 0 0 5
2020 Super Rugby AU 10 10 791 2 22 15 1 102
2021 9 9 688 1 25 22 0 121
2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman 3 3 200 0 9 0 0 18
2022 Super Rugby Pacific 10 10 755 1 20 13 0 84
2023 13 10 763 0 12 2 0 30
2024 3 0 67 0 2 0 0 4
Queensland Reds total 54 48 3,710 5 90 52 1 364
  Crusaders 2025 Super Rugby Pacific TBD
Career total 221 195 15,166 35 175 206 1 1,146

References

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  1. ^ "Teen sensation James O'Connor signs new Force deal". PerthNow. Seven West Media. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Tucker, Jim (2 August 2023). "James O'Connor re-signs with Queensland Rugby". reds.rugby. Queensland Reds. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b "James O'Connor Profile – Australian Schools Rugby". schoolsrugby.com.au. Australian Schools Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021.
  4. ^ Tiernan, Eamonn (3 July 2019). "'Understands what he did wrong': Why JOC deserves another chance". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024.
  5. ^ Robinson, Georgina (15 September 2011). "O'Connor schools himself in old memories". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  6. ^ Kitson, Robert (12 October 2011). "Rugby World Cup 2011: Wallabies play on New Zealand's darkest fears". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  7. ^ O'Neill, Brent (9 October 2013). "Former Eels recruitment chief Rod Reddy backs James O'Connor to shine in rugby league". Courier Mail. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Inside the Game". Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Rugby | St Joseph's Nudgee College". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  10. ^ Badel, Peter (16 June 2009). "O'Connor lucky to be alive". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  11. ^ Growden, Greg (20 August 2009). "AFL past makes teen gun O'Connor a mark man". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Inside the Game". James O'Connor. iSports Star. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  13. ^ a b c d "Western Force Secure Rising Star O'Connor". Western Force. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  14. ^ Under IRB regulations, a player becomes permanently committed to a nation upon his first presence in a matchday squad with the country's full national team, "A" national team, or sevens national team. "Regulation 8: Eligibility to Play for National Representative Teams" (PDF). Regulations Relating to the Game. International Rugby Board. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011. See especially Regulations 8.1 through 8.4.
  15. ^ a b c Harris, Bret (18 February 2009). "James O'Connor gains weight, experience as force for change from Perth". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  16. ^ "James O'Connor player profile". Western Force. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Rebels excited by arrival of big guns". ABC News. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  18. ^ Paxinos, Stathi (19 June 2009). "Rebels can utilise talented trio: Macqueen". Age. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  19. ^ Growden, Greg (27 June 2012). "Deans delighted to let McCabe take centre stage". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  20. ^ Rebels Media Unit (7 July 2013). "Rebels part ways with James O'Connor" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  21. ^ "James O'Connor's future in limbo". ESPN Scrum. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  22. ^ "James O'Connor has his contract ripped up by the ARU". Rugby World. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  23. ^ "James O'Connor, former Wallabies player, arrested in Paris allegedly trying to buy cocaine". ABC (Australia). ABC. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  24. ^ "Queensland Reds release James O'Connor for Europe return". The Australian. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  25. ^ Thomas, Clint. "How James O'Connor came back to the Wallabies from a spiral of drugs and depression". ABC. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  26. ^ "MEET THE CAPTAINS". Super Rugby. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  27. ^ AAP. "The surprise reason why James O'Connor stood down as Reds captain". RugbyPass. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  28. ^ Tucker, Jim (2 August 2023). "James O'Connor re-signs with Queensland Rugby". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023.
  29. ^ "James O'Connor – All Rugby". all.rugby. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024.
  30. ^ "James O'Connor opts to head overseas". reds.rugby. Queensland Rugby Union. 12 September 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024.
  31. ^ Morton, Finn (11 September 2024). "James O'Connor knocks back Queensland Reds offer to head overseas". Rugbypass. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.
  32. ^ a b c d Bewley, Nick (2 October 2024). "Former Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor in talks with Crusaders". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024.
  33. ^ van Royen, Robert (2 October 2024). "Crusaders set to sign former Wallabies pivot James O'Connor". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024.
  34. ^ "Crusaders sign Wallabies star James O'Connor for 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Former Wallabies star James O'Connor joins Crusaders for next Super Rugby season". Radio New Zealand. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.
  36. ^ Newboult, Colin (2 October 2024). "Ex-Wallabies star set for shock move to New Zealand Super Rugby powerhouse – report". planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024.
  37. ^ Doran, Christy (2 October 2024). "Wallabies veteran set for shock Super Rugby move across the ditch three years after being stopped by RA". The Roar. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024.
  38. ^ "James O'Connor's move to the Chiefs reportedly blocked by Rugby Australia". Rugbypass. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021.
  39. ^ "London Irish poised to announce signing of Australia's James O'Connor". the Guardian. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  40. ^ "James O'Connor's Toulon contract won't be renewed amid alleged cocaine possession". ABC (Australia). ABC. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  41. ^ Diamond, Sam. "James O'Connor to leave Sale Sharks". Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  42. ^ a b "James O'Connor". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  43. ^ David Polkinghorne (14 July 2013). "Cheesed-off Moore unloads on burger run". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  44. ^ Bret Harris (20 September 2013). "Wallabies stand down James O'Connor". The Australian. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  45. ^ Georgina Robinson, Stathi Paxinos (3 October 2013). "James O'Connor released from Wallaby contract". Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  46. ^ "Former Wallabies star James O'Connor allegedly arrested attempting to buy cocaine: reports". The Sydney Morning Herald. Reuters. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  47. ^ Knox, David (23 December 2009). "Matthew Mitcham for Australia's Greatest Athlete 2". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  48. ^ "James O'Connor Profile – All Rugby". all.rugby. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024.
  49. ^ "James O'Connor – ItsRugby". itsrugby.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024.
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