James O’Connor: The Man Ready for an Unexpected Test Comeback

James O’Connor finds himself in the unexpected position of potentially making a comeback to the Wallabies, 12 years after he first showcased his talent against the British and Irish Lions as a youthful standout.

O’Connor hasn’t donned the Wallabies jersey since 2022, and prospects seemed slim when he departed from the Reds earlier this year to sign with New Zealand’s famed Crusaders.

After finishing ninth out of 12 teams in the last season, the Crusaders have made a remarkable turnaround, currently leading the Super Rugby Pacific table after nine rounds in 2025.

O’Connor’s experience and kicking ability have played a crucial role in the team’s improvement, as the 34-year-old has predominantly been utilised as a finisher off the bench, supporting young No. 10 Taha Kemara.

“James O’Connor has transitioned from discussing potential corporate roles during the Lions series to being on the radar of high-calibre individuals within Australian rugby considering a recall,” Morgan Turinui remarked on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“He’s been outstanding. I’m not suggesting he be in the starting XV, but having him in camp with the Wallabies for a month leading up to the Lions series could be invaluable, especially given his insights from 12 years ago.”

“He has matured, grown as a player, and truly come into his own.”

With incumbent Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio set to move to Japan next year, the conversation about who will lead the side against the Lions on July 19 in Brisbane has taken on added significance.

O’Connor recently described Lolesio’s upcoming departure as “crazy” during an appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast while also evaluating coach Joe Schmidt’s other options.

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“The standout players for me are Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson, and Lawson Creighton,” O’Connor added.

“Tom has been impressively consistent within a solid Reds team, excelling in goal-kicking and game management while effectively utilising the strengths of players like Hunter (Paisami) and ball-playing forwards such as Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.

“He knows how to stay on the down-low but when opportunities arise, he capitalises, making crucialline breaks.

“Ben Donaldson possesses a powerful kick and is perhaps the most innovative of the group. He pushes the envelope, taking the ball to the line with impressive speed and handling high-pressure scenarios well.

However, with his current team, the Force, navigating a creative style of play, he hasn’t faced much of the gritty physicality that Test matches are known for.

From the experience in the Wallabies squad, it requires a level of intensity that’s quite different from their current play.

“The player I’m most excited about is Lawson Creighton from the Waratahs. I spent two years at the Reds with him, and he’s genuinely a talented game manager. I believe he would thrive in the Test arena.

“He’s smart with his decisions, keeps errors to a minimum, communicates effectively, has a solid kick, and is physically capable.”

“With Noah’s departure, the path is wide open for someone like him, who possesses a strong physical presence.

“Each player has their unique strengths: Tom with his kicking, Donaldson with his creativity, and Lawson managing the game well. It will be interesting to see who secures the spot.”

However, Wallabies legend Matt Burke insists O’Connor should be included in the discussions.

“His move has significantly benefited him,” Burke noted during BTP.

“The Crusaders have transformed from where they were last season to their current form, which is remarkable, and the way they’re executing their game is exceptional.”

“He’s been instrumental, and his versatility adds great value to the team.”