Wright has been a frustrated observer since suffering a shoulder injury after being surprisingly named as Joe Schmidt's Test captain last July.
But after impressing off the bench in the Reds' unbeaten start to their 2025 campaign, Wright will start at blindside flanker in Christchurch on Sunday.
While the classy back-rower is back to share the captaincy with Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott, the Reds will be without centre Josh Flook for several weeks with a hamstring injury.
Filipo Daugunu will move to outside centre, with Tim Ryan restored to the wing.
Coach Les Kiss says the Reds will be wary of O'Connor after the veteran playmaker has been quick to make a big impression coming off the bench for the Crusaders since leaving Brisbane at the end of last year.
"It's an exciting proposition for us. We've got a lot of respect for James, an exceptional player and man," Kiss said.
"He'd know a fair bit about us, without a doubt, so we've got to be able to navigate that reality and be able to make sure we stay on track and put our game plan to the fore as we'd like to.
"Yeah, we'll have to be careful for sure."
O'Connor says the banter has been flying since the Crusaders first confirmed on Tuesday the former Wallaby star would be playing his old teammates.
"I've stayed connected with them sort of this whole time, but there's been a couple more conversations this week," O'Connor said.
"Our group put a little media post on Instagram yesterday, so I had a few bites back, which is pretty funny."
But the 34-year-old says the fun and games will cease if and when he gets thrust into the fray on Sunday.
"I'll be doing everything with my new team to pull them apart, whatever way I can help," O'Connor said.
"Obviously knowing most of the guys quite well, there's a bit of information shared, put it that way.
"I'm just genuinely looking forward to the contest because they're coming off two good wins and a good European (pre-season) tour, and we want this one bad."
The NSW Waratahs will again be without star centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for Saturday night's clash with the Western Force in Sydney.
The code-hopper remains sidelined with a toe injury, but fellow centre Joey Walton has recovered from a groin strain and will cover for Lalakai Foketi, who has, ironically, been ruled out with the same issue.
Coach Dan McKellar has handed a Super debut to Randwick talent Lawson Creighton, who has replaced Tane Edmed as starting flyhalf for the Waratahs' third straight home game at Allianz Stadium.
Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams returns from a concussion to captain the Force against his former NSW outfit, while centre Sio Tomkinson is also back after following head injury protocols.
And veteran prop James Slipper will become Super Rugby's most-capped player ever in the Brumbies' showdown with the defending champion Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.
Slipper will be making his 186th appearance in the competition, eclipsing Aaron Smith's tally.
Centre David Feliuai comes into the team to make his Brumbies debut.
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