James O'Connor on Crusaders preseason: 'I haven't experienced anything like it'

James O’Connor and the Crusaders are wrapping up their pre-Christmas preseason in Christchurch so the former Wallaby now has a decent sample size to compare his Kiwi and Australian preseason experiences.

After a dozen years in Australian Super Rugby with three different teams, in addition to eight years in Europe, O’Connor says the pace of the Crusaders preseason is unlike anything he’s experienced in his career.

The 34-year-old has been vocal in his pursuit of the Crusaders’ No. 10 jersey, while also praising the young talent he is nurturing in the form of Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara, two players he says have “good rugby heads”. In competing for the starting spot, O’Connor has been put through his paces.

“It’s been tasty, it’s been fast, it’s been tough. I’m sticking in there, keeping up, really enjoying it. They’ve definitely turned the weather on, I’m loving that,” O’Connor told Newstalk ZB‘s Sportstalk with D’Arcy Waldegrave.

“To compare it to Australia, we have a little bit longer of a preseason. We’re usually running off an eight to 10 weeker whereas here it’s, due to the NPC, a little bit shorter.

“But, just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s not as tough. We’re doing triple sessions a day, big field sessions and it’s fast. The ruck speed, I haven’t experienced anything like it – you do fitness games, but the ruck speed here in 15 on 15 is another level. It’s definitely asking a lot of me.”

The 64-time Wallaby says his body is feeling good and handling the rigours of training well despite being 16 years removed from his international debut. Finding the local swimming holes and beaches has been a big part of settling into Christchurch life and staying fresh off the field.

Having been on the receiving end of the Crusaders’ dominance over much of the past decade, O’Connor says he’s been looking forward to seeing what’s behind the team’s success.

“It is very exciting for me, and as an Aussie with Kiwi parents to be able to take a peek behind the window and see a club that’s had so much success, and to just be a part of it and feel it. I’ve got ambitions of going into coaching so I’m really enjoying it. It’s definitely different, in a great way.”

With that Kiwi heritage, O’Connor hinted his mind had wandered to a life on New Zealand soil once upon a time. His ambitions remain in Wallaby gold though.

“You know what? I’d always thought about it, I’ll put it that way. But, for it to be able to be reality is a very different thing. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to play in New Zealand, so I’ll leave that at that.”