Western Force coach Richard Graham expects star playmaker James O'Connor to make a decision on his Super Rugby future within the next fortnight.

The Rebels, Brumbies and Reds are all trying to nab O'Connor for next season, while the Force are fighting hard to retain the classy Wallabies back.

Rumours are rife O'Connor has all-but signed with the Rebels, but Graham said the uncertainty surrounding the 20-year-old's future hadn't distracted the Force this season.

"Listen, we've compartmentalised it to be honest," Graham said ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Bulls in Perth.

"It's a process that we know is going on in the background.

"James is conducting himself very well throughout the process and for us it's business as normal.

"I expect it to be resolved in the next fortnight (but) there are no time limits on it at this stage.

"We'll just continue to conduct our business behind closed doors and a decision will be made in due time."

Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said the young gun had given him the inside word of where he intended to play next year.

"You know he told me this morning he's going to Japan to play for six years," Sharpe joked.

"Look, James is an intelligent guy and he knows what's going to be ahead of him. He's got plenty of options and hopefully he chooses here.

"He's just going to have to wait until all the pieces of the puzzle are in front of him and he can put it together and go from there.

"We'd love to have him here ... so hopefully he makes that decision.

"But like anything you can't force people's decisions, they have to make that for themselves. If they do make it for themselves it's generally the right decision."

The Bulls (4-4 record) are in danger of missing the finals after losing their past two matches, but Graham said the defending champions remained a formidable outfit.

"Any side that can bring Fourie du Preez back in from the bench has wonderful depth," Graham said.

"They're a quality side and while they're going through a bit of a rough patch, they've still got any number of world class players in their squad."

Bulls skipper Victor Matfield said it was "non negotiable" that his team needed to win in order to stay in the finals hunt.

The 13th-placed Force will be looking to make it two wins on the trot after last week's 27-19 triumph over the Brumbies in Canberra.

Wallabies flanker David Pocock failed in his bid to return from a knee injury, but fullback Cameron Shepherd (head knock) and prop Matt Dunning (foot) return to the run-on side.

Last week's two-try hero David Smith was ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Rory Sidey to take his place on the wing.

Force: Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, James O'Connor, Rory Sidey, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan, Ben McCalman, Jono Jenkins, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Ben Whittaker, Pek Cowan. Res: Nathan Charles, Kieran Longbottom, Tom Hockings, Tevita Metuisela, Mark Swanepoel, Mark Bartholomeusz, Alfie Mafi

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Bjorn Basson, Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morn Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Res: Gary Botha, Rossouw de Klerk, Flip van der Merwe, Danie Rossouw, Derick Kun, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Francois Brummer.

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