O'Connor to decide on Force within days

James O'Connor at Wallabies training yesterday. Pic: Bill Hatto/WA News

Wandering Wallaby James O'Connor could decide as early as next week where he will call home next season.

Western Force are tipped to re-sign the back-line star, who will discuss his future with his manager David Shand next week during a break in the Wallabies' Rugby Championship campaign.

"I've got the week off next week so that's when I'm taking some time out to evaluate where we're at," O'Connor said.

"If all things are going well it could be done then, but I don't want to put a time frame to anything. That's when people start getting frustrated."

The Force have been in talks with O'Connor since he was left out in the cold by Melbourne Rebels at the end of the last Super Rugby season.

He began his Super Rugby career at the Force but left under a cloud in 2011 when the Force ended contract talks.

The club has gone through major changes since then with a new coaching and management team, but O'Connor has not spoken to coach Michael Foley or chief executive Mark Sinderberry while in Perth as the Wallabies prepare for Argentina at Patersons Stadium tomorrow night.

"I can't tell you exactly what's happening but I'm happy with the way it's all going at the moment," O'Connor said.

"I don't exactly know what the possibilities are but I'm happy to have that conversation when it's all sorted out.

"I've just been focusing on this week. I haven't spoken to David (Shand) for a week and a half. As far as I'm concerned it's smooth sailing."

NRL team Canterbury Bulldogs are said to be interested in O'Connor as a replacement for Ben Barba, who is joining Brisbane Broncos, and there are supposed European interests. But O'Connor said he was keen to stay in rugby.

"I'm very happy in rugby at the moment, I'm very much enjoying my time," he said. "I've got a lot I want to achieve in this game with this group and individually.

"I don't think we've reached anywhere near our peak."

He hit back at criticism that the team was not hurting enough after losses to the All Blacks and South Africa on the back of an unsuccessful British and Irish Lions series.

"It hurts. You're gutted. It's not something you enjoy at all. You want to get out there as soon as possible to try and fix it and have another shot," he said.

"It's not a good feeling when you lose and you know you're a lot better than that."

"I'm very happy in rugby at the moment … I've got a lot I want to achieve in this game …"" *James O'Connor *