Special bond: Beale and O'Connor to take on Brumbies

They were once the ratbags of Australian rugby, but fans will see vastly different versions of James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale when they team up for the Western Force on Sunday.

Beale has been named at flyhalf and O'Connor will come off the bench when the Force take on the Brumbies in round two of Super Rugby Aus action in Perth.

The match will mark O'Connor's first appearance for the Force since 2011, while Beale has become a fan favourite among the Sea of Blue since his move to Perth in 2024.

The duo were once a powerhouse pairing at the Wallabies, but their on-field heroics were often accompanied by off-field misadventures.

The pair have markedly matured since then to the point where they are both considered leaders at the Force despite not having any official titles.

Damian Steele, who is coaching the Force through their Super Rugby Aus campaign, hopes circumstances will allow Beale and O'Connor to be on the park together during Sunday's game.

"It would be great," Steele said.

"They've spent so much time together at Wallabies level, and they've got a really strong rapport.

"That's something that the younger boys have said to us as well. They just notice how much they connect with each other and they've just got an understanding of how the game's unfolding in front of them.

"They know where each other are and they find the right areas. So yeah, it'll be awesome.

"It's a great story for us to have those guys out on the pitch together if it does eventuate."

When O'Connor signed a one-year deal with the Force earlier this month, he put the 2027 home World Cup squarely on his radar.

The 36-year-old has been training strongly in recent weeks and will be thrust into action against the Brumbies in the second half on Sunday, either at flyhalf or inside centre.

"He's raring to go," Steele said.

"We should be able to get a good 30, 40 (minutes) out of him if we need to, but he looks good.

"He's smart enough and wily enough to put himself in places if he is a little bit cooked to avoid too much."

The Force also welcome back Tom Robertson and Nick Champion de Crespigny, but flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is unavailable after his maiden Wallabies squad call-up.

The Brumbies began their campaign with a 38-19 loss to the Waratahs, while the Force, who will again boast Zac Lomax, beat the Reds 29-28 in an after-the-siren thriller.