Melbourne - James O'Connor is believed to have a signed a deal to join the Melbourne Rebels in 2012.

The Western Force and Wallabies star would be the second high-profile recruit to join the new franchise this week following the news of Kurtley Beale's signing on Wednesday.

O'Connor and Beale are known to be good friends and would have been lured by the prospect of playing together at provincial level.

The 20-year-old made his Super Rugby debut for the Force in 2008 when he was 17 - against the Reds in his home town of Brisbane - and played for the Wallabies for the first time later that year against Italy in Padova.

He has since played 27 times for Australia and represented the Force 32 times at Super Rugby level.

O'Connor is tipped to star for the Wallabies at the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand starting in September.