James O’Connor’s return to Christchurch turf was marked by a surprising lack of jovial banter as he stepped onto the field amidst a 36-19 scoreline against the Reds with 62 minutes played. Having transitioned from Queensland to join the Crusaders in the off-season, O’Connor found himself assuming the role of game manager rather than a game breaker. Despite his anticipation of a lighthearted atmosphere, he noted, “Not too much” banter materialised post-match, attributing it to the intensity of the quick-paced game and the fatigue felt by players.
In the end, the Crusaders triumphed 43-19, allowing them to overtake the Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific standings. Reflecting on the match, O’Connor stated, “Honestly, I didn’t do too much, hit probably more breakdowns than I have in a whole year.” Regardless, he expressed his satisfaction with the victory.
The Reds had broken a 25-year drought in Christchurch the previous year, but the Crusaders were determined to avoid a repeat defeat. O’Connor, known for his jovial rapport with his former teammates, had joked about informing them of their plays. However, Reds flanker Liam Wright cheekily revealed that O’Connor had rebuffed coffee catch-up invites, much to O’Connor’s chagrin, who admitted, “He got me with that because we went back and forth a few times, but he got busy, it wasn’t me.”
On a more somber note, O’Connor extended his sympathies to those impacted by Cyclone Alfred, sharing his concern for his home turf of the Gold Coast while acknowledging the resilience of those affected. His comments highlighted a sense of community spirit beyond the rugby field.
Reds coach Les Kiss, acknowledging O’Connor’s transition to the Crusaders, quipped, “I’m just glad he didn’t score a try,” indicating a friendly rivalry. Kiss further remarked that the coaching staff at Crusaders had been pleased with O’Connor’s contributions, wishing him success in his new role.
As the Super Rugby season unfolds, O’Connor’s dual focus on managing game dynamics and maintaining connections with former teammates captures the blend of competitive spirit and camaraderie intrinsic to rugby culture.