James O'Connor is still hoping to represent the Wallabies at RWC 2015. Source: Mark Kolbe / Supplied
JAMES O'Connor has made no secret of his desire to return to Super Rugby in a bid to win a place at the World Cup but it's looking increasingly likely there won't be a home for him at Western Force.
The standout story of this year's Super Rugby competition, the Force are riding a wave of success that has seen them win five straight and take the scalps of the Chiefs, Reds and Waratahs.
And it's success that cult figure Nick Cummins and skipper Matt Hodgson have repeatedly attributed to the new-found "culture" at the club, and a "family" feel that is the talk of the competition.
It's also surely one that history shows O'Connor's personality won't fit.
Still, Force coach Michael Foley hasn't completely closed the door on O'Connor but said any player who wanted to join the franchise had to do so for the right reasons.
"I think we're open-minded to anyone joining us here," Foley told Rugby HQ.
"We're not for one minute saying the doors are closed, but I think it's really important that we understand somebody is coming to the team for the team.
"And there's got to be a balance there, everybody's individually ambitious. To want to play for Australia is a very personal thing and a commendable thing, and we encourage that.
"You have to come to our team to want to be part of the team. I think that's an easy thing to identify when you're talking to somebody. When somebody's talking about all the things they want out of it, not so much what they're going to give to it it's really easy to differentiate. So we're open-minded."
Currently playing his rugby with London Irish in Europe, O'Connor has made it clear he wants to return to Australia in 2015 to give himself the chance of playing at the World Cup in England.
He'll spend the first half of the next northern season with French powerhouse Toulon but is hoping to secure to a Super Rugby contract for 2015.
O'Connor headed to the northern hemisphere late last year following a succession of off-field incidents that saw the Australian Rugby Union rip up his contract.
But it seems some time out of the Australian spotlight may have been the perfect remedy with London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith saying the former Wallabies utility had been a valuable addition.
"James has been a terrific signing for the club. It coincided with the announcement of the new ownership and it was probably a declaration of intent by our new owners to say we can attract world-class players," Smith told England's Reading Post.
"It would have been nice for James to spend the next six months with us as well before he heads back to Australia, but you cannot ask someone to turn down the sort of financial incentives to swing via Toulon.
"He has been terrific. He's a very good player and been instrumental in a couple of key wins for us."
Still, it's hard to see O'Connor settling into the sense of "belonging" at the Force, something Cummins trumpeted earlier this week.
"The culture's changed a little bit here, which has probably put on a little bit of belief and a feeling of belonging," Cummins said.
"And everyone's buying into it, that's what's helping us."
If the Force decides against recruiting O'Connor, the fallen superstar's only option may be Queensland Reds.
Struggling with backline injuries this season, the Reds could throw the 44-Test veteran a lifeline next year although coach Richard Graham was at the helm of the Force when O'Connor left Perth in the best interests of his rugby "brand".
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