Where to next for James O'Connor JAMES O'Connor has been granted an early release from his contract with the Australian Rugby Union, so where will he end up? The sporting world is his oyster. Well, kind of. His options in Australian rugby are limited, at best, but there's several other avenues for O'Connor to explore as he weighs up his sporting future. While regaining his Wallabies jersey remains his goal - "I remain focused on earning my place back with the Wallabies and will be looking for the right opportunity to do this," O'Connor said in Thursday's announcement - that might not stop the wayward star making a move elsewhere in the immediate future. We take a look at where James O'Connor could end up next. After being released by the Melbourne Rebels and snubbed by the Brumbies, Waratahs and Reds O'Connor's only Super Rugby option - in Australia - remains the club with which he began his career, Western Force. Signing with the Force would allow O'Connor to push for a Wallabies return next year (and earn match payments for playing Tests) but the Perth-based franchise was hardly welcoming their one-time prodigy with open arms when the ARU announcement dropped on Thursday morning. The club said via a statement it was encouraging O'Connor "to take time away from rugby to consider his playing future." The Daily Telegraph's Jamie Pandaram discusses James O'Connor's early release from his ARU contract. O'Connor released from ARU contract The ARU's withdrawal of O'Connor's top-up contract for 2014 is set to cost the 23-year-old up to $500,000. So while he would put his plans to win back his Wallabies jumper on hold, the lure of a cashed-up European or Japanese side might be attractive in the short-term. There would be no shortage of northern hemisphere clubs lining up to swoop on the talented outside back. If he can't get back in Wallaby gold, O'Connor could do worse than set his sights on Olympic gold. Sevens rugby makes its Olympics debut at the Rio Games in 2016, and O'Connor - who has already represented Australia in the sport - has previously spoken of his desire to be involved. The Olympics would be an unbelievable honour . . . 100 per cent I want to be involved in the sevens program for 2016," O'Connor said just last year. I've played sevens in Hong Kong and Adelaide in the past (2008). I have some experience, I love the game and I'm prepared to make sacrifices because there are obviously going to be scheduling conflicts. James O'Connor has been released from his ARU contract. O'Connor is currently staying on the Gold Coast - and the Gold Coast Sevens is on next weekend. Coincidence? Yes, probably. O'Connor played league as a junior and, if he wants to stay in Australia, he might be open to a switch of codes. Former league star Matthew Johns is a fan. "I have no doubt that O'Connor would be a very good league player," Johns told Fox Sports earlier this year. The Broncos, Dragons and Eels are just a few of the NRL clubs on the lookout for a quality playmaker, although Johns threw up Melbourne as an ideal destination. There's been a lot said about O'Connor's personality. A strong club with a strong culture is just what he needs. There's not a lot of scope for big heads in league and a club like the Storm would teach him the value of a strong work ethic and teamwork," he said. Yeah, this is the longest of longshots. But his good mate Lance Franklin has apparently negotiated a monster nine-year contract to join 2012 AFL premiers Sydney, so maybe `Buddy' could swing a deal to get his buddy to the Swans.