The Queensland Rugby Union is proud to announce James O’Connor has re-signed with the Queensland Reds through 2024.
O’Connor has played more than 100 Super Rugby games, including 63 matches for Queensland after returning to Ballymore in 2019.
Now 32-years-old with 64 Wallabies Tests to his name, O’Connor will help mentor Queensland’s next generation of playmakers, including the likes of Tom Lynagh, Lawson Creighton and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
The one-year deal will also see O'Connor involved in coaching within Queensland's elite pathways as he prepares for his future post-Rugby.
O’Connor said: "I feel very privileged to be staying in Queensland.
"This is my home, my team and an opportunity to continue playing with a group of men I have a lot of love and respect for.
"Since returning home in 2019, there’s been many highs with the club and also a lot of learnings.
"I feel there is so much this group can achieve and I believe with our new world class facility and under a coaching staff headed by Les, we can really find our next gear.
"This contract also allows me to deliver on one of the main reasons I came back to Australia - to help develop the next generation of Rugby talent here at the Reds and also through coaching the junior pathways, which has been a passion of mine for some time."
Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said: "It's been great to watch James' return to the Reds from afar over the last few years.
"His leadership and experience are obviously an important aspect of the current squad, and the lessons he can pass on to our up-and-coming playmakers will be pivotal in the coming years.
"We’d also like to acknowledge Rugby Australia for their support of this unique contract arrangement which will allow James to develop himself as a coach within our elite pathways.
"I'm looking forward to working with him."
After stints abroad, O’Connor’s return to Ballymore has paid dividends for the Gold Coast product’s career.
O’Connor represented the Wallabies at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, before captaining the Reds to the Super Rugby AU title in 2021 at flyhalf.
He reached his 100th Super Rugby cap the same year, while he notched his 50th Queensland cap last year.
After overcoming an ankle injury early in the season, O’Connor featured in 13 games for the Reds in 2023 including six at inside-centre, showcasing his versatility and leadership in the backline.
He represented Australia A against Tonga earlier this month.
- Position: Flyhalf
- Height: 181cm
- Weight: 93kg
- Born: 05/07/1990
- Place of birth: Southport, Queensland
- Senior Club: Brothers
- School: St Joseph’s Nudgee College
- Junior Club: Brothers
- Queensland debut: 27/02/2015 v Highlanders, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
- Queensland caps: 63
- Super Rugby debut: 18/04/2008 v Queensland Reds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Western Force)
- Super Rugby caps: 122
- Wallabies debut: 08/11/2008 v Italy, Stadio Euganeo, Italy
- Wallabies caps: 64
