James O’Connor will start a career transition into coaching after signing a unique Queensland Reds contract for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 32-year-old has played 64 Tests for the Wallabies but has been surplus to requirements under Eddie Jones and appears unlikely to feature at the Rugby World Cup in France.
He represented Australia A against Tonga earlier this month.
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O’Connor will be available to play for the Reds next season but has also been tasked with mentoring Queensland’s next generation of playmakers, including Tom Lynagh, Lawson Creighton and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
One of Australian rugby’s best redemption stories, O’Connor will also help coach Queensland’s elite pathway players as he eyes his next career step.
“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,” O’Connor said.
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“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 (Kiss), we can really find our next gear.”
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When fit and in form, O’Connor remains one of Queensland’s better players and could well feature heavily at inside centre outside Wallaby-in-waiting Lynagh under new coach Kiss.
“It’s been great to watch James’ return to the Reds from afar over the last few years,” Kiss said.
“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.”
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