JOC set for stunning Super Rugby homecoming in new role

Almost two decades after making his debut for the Western Force, James O’Connor is on the cusp of returning to the Super Rugby side for one last hurrah.

And his return won’t just be in a playing capacity, with the 36-year-old veteran Wallaby negotiating the finer details to be a player-coach, nine.com.au can reveal.

But the prospect of linking up with another member of the infamous “three amigos” package seems dead in the water, with Kurtley Beale’s time at the Force done.

Fresh from one season with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership, O’Connor has been in negotiations with the Force for weeks.

He was going to move to the Sharks but ultimately decided not to move to the South African club as he awaits the arrival of his first child.

That saw O’Connor, 36, ramp up conversations with the Force - the club he made his Super Rugby debut with as a 17-year-old way back in 2008.

It’s understood that the only thing left standing between O’Connor and signing is his final price tag. But it’s believed the deal could be done by week’s end.

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While O’Connor will be involved in kicking and attack strategy at the Force, it’s understood the Wallabies veteran still has ambitions to feature in next year’s World Cup.

The desire to add to his 68 Tests comes after making a stunning return from a three-year international exile last year by guiding the Wallabies to their first win over the Springboks at Ellis Park in 62 years.

The playmaker then went on to play another seven Tests under Joe Schmidt in 2025.

Should he indeed put pen to paper and sign with the Force, he will be the second elder statesman to return to Australian rugby in the past month after Bernard Foley signed a short-term deal with the Waratahs recently. It’s believed the soon-to-be 37-year-old will be unveiled as the Waratahs’ newest recruit next week in Sydney.

The return of the veteran playmaking pair will give new Wallabies coach Les Kiss a couple of fine break-glass options for next year’s home World Cup.

While Kiss has already expressed a desire to back incumbent options Carter Gordon, Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith, with Tom Lynagh still working his way back from injury too, the injury-prone nature of the current playmakers means neither Foley nor O’Connor can have a line put through their names.

Their returns to Super Rugby will also make it much easier for Kiss to assess their form.

Meanwhile, Beale’s three-year association with the Force appears to be over.

The 37-year-old received a lifeline from the franchise in 2024 after some off-field dramas ultimately scuppered his return to the Waratahs before it even got started.

The versatile back went on to play 25 matches for the Force and also made his way back from a devastating Achilles injury after being picked in Schmidt’s wider Wallabies squad in 2024.

It’s unclear whether Beale will play on.