MATE against mate, state against state is the dilemma facing Wallabies star James O'Connor. The Western Force utility back must choose between playing next year with Quade Cooper at the Queensland Reds or another of his close mates in Kurtley Beale at the Melbourne Rebels.

While Beale is desperate for the gun playmaker to join him at Melbourne, he said family obligations and the opportunity to forge a long-term international playmaking partnership with Cooper would likely mean "Rabs" would end up in Brisbane.

O'Connor has had lengthy discussions with Cooper about the move and it's understood the major sticking point is the term of Cooper's new contract after it was revealed he was seeking just a one-year extension.

"I saw him on the weekend but he's remaining pretty tight-lipped about which club, so I'd like to give him the same respect," Beale said. "But he told me he needs the ball more. He definitely wants to have a crack at 12 for the Wallabies this year. I know No.12 is a position he sees himself in long-term.

"But he hasn't even told me yet. I'd love for him to come to Melbourne but I guess it's a matter of being closer to the family or starting a new life for himself in a different state."

Josh Rakic