Why Wallaby James O'Connor isn't joining the Sharks

The Sharks have a penchant for a foreign flyhalf. The likes of international stars Thierry Lacroix, Gregor Townsend, Fredrick Michalack and Tony Brown have all donned the black and white over the years, so when the media began reporting O'Connor as a person of interest for the Durban franchise, it made sense.

But that idea was nipped in the bud when O' Connor recived some welcome news: his wife, Bridget, is pregnant.

"I did look at it, but that was before the pregnancy," the talent admitted on a recent episode of the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.

"It would've been unreal. Obviously did New Zealand. My mom's parents are South African, my grandad's from Durban so that would have been a cool experience to do that.

"But as soon as the news came through it was like, I don't particularly want to be in South Africa, I want to be around my family in Australia."

So, where to next? O'Connor has been plying his trade at Leicester Tigers last season, but he indicated thart partnership is likely to end. But the 36-year-old still feels he has another season in him and has Japan in his crosshairs.

"I won't be going back North," the 64-cap Wallaby explained.

"The wife, Bridget, is pregnant. We want to stay put in Australia now. I feel like it's time to plant some roots here

"There's always the opportunity to shoot to Japan. I want to stay involved in the game of rugby. I do feel like I've got another good year left of rugby in me playing-wise, but I have ambitions to coach as well so I'm just trying to figure out how I can blend the two."

O'Connor was part of the Wallaby team that upset the Boks 38-22 at Ellis Park in the 2025 Rugby Championship, their first victory at the iconic venue in 62 years.