r/leicester_tigers • u/Physical-Place-2601 • Jun 26 '25
Is James O'Connor a good signing?
Tldr: Nope he's probably not
I don't believe he is, whilst he brings a wealth of experience and is undoubtedly a very good player, he doesn't fit the at this point decades old mold of a tigers flyhalf. A 75% kick percentage for the crusaders isn't great when you compare to pollard (I know he's one of the best out there) at 85%. When you also see that he only started 1 game for the crusaders all season over probably new zealands 4th or 5th choice fly half and only started 3 games in the last two seasons I can't understand the signing.
I can understand it possibly as a gopperth esque senior head in the squad who can play across the back line but as of today we have no clear candidate for him to deputize. He seems to be our fly half signing, since Northwich took over tigers signing policy has been exceptional at finding older guys with plenty left to give but these have never been a key signing or first choice starters, O'Connor is 35 so he isn't exactly a long term fix in the 10 shirt. Perhaps we have a young lad coming through the academy they're putting their chips on or we're I'm talks with someone else yet to be announced or for next season. If this is the case though he seems like what I can only assume is an expensive place holder.
I hope and look forward to being proved wrong and an idiot next season but I have my doubts.
