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WALLABIES teenage sensation James O'Connor will remain with the Western Force in Super rugby for the next two years.
0'Connor, 18, considered following Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau from Perth to the Brumbies, who argued his rugby development would be better served in the nation's capital.
But the Force were desperate to keep O'Connor and the Brumbies could not match the big third-party money on offer in the west.
O'Connor was also settled in Perth and felt a sense of loyalty to the Force, who gave him an opportunity as a 17-year-old last year.
The anticipated signing of former Springbok five-eighth Andre Pretorius at the Force also influenced O'Connor's decision to stay.
After scoring three tries in a man of the match performance for the Wallabies against Italy in Canberra last Saturday, O'Connor will start at fullback against for Australia against the Azzurri in Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Force's stocks have risen significantly in recent days with former Wallabies prop Matt Dunning confirming a move from NSW Waratahs yesterday.
Dunning, 30, has signed for two years.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...013406,00.html