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Sydney - Wallabies youngster James O'Connor could miss next week's Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks in Brisbane after missing a public team appearance in Sydney.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said on Friday it has asked the 21-year-old back to explain his absence from Thursday's Rugby World Cup squad announcement at Sydney airport.
Officials at the time of the announcement said O'Connor "was unable to be here" when Australia's 30-man squad was revealed, but the utility back may face a suspension that could threaten his place in the Wallabies' first-choice World Cup line-up, reports said.
"James informed us on the morning of the squad announcement that he was unable to be present," an ARU spokesman said on Friday.
"We have requested James provide a full explanation for his non-attendance.
"Until such time as we have received that explantation, we are not in a position to comment further."
O'Connor was one of the heroes of the Wallabies' 14-9 victory over the Springboks last week in Durban, kicking three penalties in Australia's first back-to-back Test win in South Africa in 48 years.
