O'Connor shared on the "Kick Offs and Kick Ons" podcast that family developments halted the anticipated move. He explained,
"I did look at it but that was before the pregnancy. It would’ve been unreal."A stint in Durban would have had personal significance for O'Connor, whose maternal grandparents are South African, with his grandfather hailing from Durban itself.
The advent of fatherhood shifted O'Connor's priorities dramatically. He expressed a strong desire to remain in Australia to be close to his family during this pivotal time. James and his wife, Bridget, are expecting a baby boy, enhancing their resolve to stay put. O'Connor stated,
"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."Consequently, he has also decided against returning to play in Europe.
While putting the South African option to bed, O'Connor admitted that Japan could be in the cards later on. He remains open to playing and possibly blending it with coaching, signaling a dual career path in the near future. He noted, “There’s always the opportunity to shoot to Japan. 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.”
Despite the changes in his personal life and career, O'Connor's connection to South Africa remains strong due to family ties, and his openness to explore professional opportunities in Japan reflects his adaptable approach towards his rugby career and life after rugby.
As O'Connor prepares for a new chapter in Australia, his story underscores the profound impact of personal milestones on professional decisions in the world of sports. It's a poignant reminder that for athletes, the game isn't just played on the field but also navigated through the significant occurrences in their personal lives.
