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<\/a> <\/p>\nJames O\u2019Connor did consider a move to South Africa, with reports linking the 64-Test Wallaby to URC outfit the Sharks.<\/a> But \u2018JOC\u2019 has decided to stay put in Australia, revealing some exciting personal news after returning home.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor has been heavily linked with a surprise move to the Durban-based outfit, following a season with the Leicester<\/a> Tigers. The backline utility has previously enjoyed overseas stints with another English side, with a France<\/a> Top 14 powerhouse, and a New Zealand<\/a> juggernaut.<\/p>\n The now 36-year-old, who debuted for the Western Force<\/a> and the Wallabies as a teenager with jet blonde hair in the 2000s, made eight starts in 14 appearances for the Leicester Tigers in England\u2019s Premiership and the Premiership Rugby Cup.<\/p>\n Rapport believes Sharks<\/a> coach JP Pietersen has spoken with O\u2019Connor, and it\u2019s a transfer that very well could\u2019ve happened. But the Aussie is set to become a father to a baby boy, revealing his wife Bridget O\u2019Connor is pregnant.<\/p>\n \u201cI did look at it but that was before the pregnancy,\u201d O\u2019Connor said on a recent episode of Kick Offs and Kick Ons.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt would\u2019ve been unreal. Obviously did New Zealand. My mum\u2019s parents are South African, my grandad\u2019s from Durban so that would have been a cool experience to do that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as soon as the news came through it was like, I don\u2019t particularly want to be in South Africa, I want to be around my family in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor spent time with the Force, Melbourne Rebels<\/a> and had two stints with the Queensland Reds<\/a> in Super Rugby \u00a0The playmaker also joined serial champions the Crusaders<\/a> ahead of the 2025 season, helping the Christchurch-based team win yet another title.<\/p>\n Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt rewarded O\u2019Connor with higher honours, naming the Test veteran in the squad for the Lions<\/a> Series. But the Queenslander didn\u2019t return to the Test arena until August 17, when he was named to start against the two-time defending Rugby World Cup<\/a> winners.<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor slotted in at fly-half and helped orchestrate an unforgettable comeback win over the Springboks in Johannesburg, with the visitors piling on 38 unanswered points as they completed a remarkable effort at Emirates Airline Park.<\/p>\n Schmidt selected O\u2019Connor to take the field another six times that season, before the Wallaby linked up with Leicester. The Wallabies have, at least so far, gone in another direction at fly-half this season \u2013 with ACT Brumbies<\/a> pivot Declan Meredith debuting for the national side.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be going back North. The wife, Bridget, is pregnant\u2026 we want to stay put in Australia<\/a> no. I feel like it\u2019s time to plant some roots here,\u201d O\u2019Connor explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always the opportunity to shoot to Japan.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to stay involved in the game of rugby. I do feel like I\u2019ve got another good year left of rugby in me playing-wise but I have ambitions to coach as well so I\u2019m just trying to figure out how I can blend the two.\u201d<\/p>\n The Wallabies have had 10 players slot in at fly-half over the last 12 months or so, starting with Noah Lolesio against Fiji<\/a> before the Lions Series. Declan Meredith and Jock Campbell are the two most recent additions to that long list.<\/p>\n