Teenager James O'Connor in World Cup calculations

WESTERN Force utility back James O'Connor will be the bolter in the Wallabies' squad for the upcoming tour of Hong Kong and Europe as part of coach Robbie Deans' long-term plan to develop the team for the 2011 World Cup.

O'Connor, 18, will be one of several new faces named today in the 34-man squad for the six-match tour.

The other newcomers are expected to be O'Connor's Force team-mate and openside flanker David Pocock, Queensland Reds' five-eighth Quade Cooper and NSW Waratahs' prop Sekope Kepu.

The likely omission of NSW five-eighth Kurtley Beale, who has not played since the Super 14 final in May because of ankle and hand injuries, effectively opened the door for O'Connor.
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