James O'Connor might be on the nose in Australian rugby but there may be a very good reason for Ewen McKenzie to bring him home for the 2015 World Cup.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed O'Connor as the world's best goal kicker under pressure. The exiled former Wallaby has topped a list compiled by New Zealand Rugby Union's chief analyst, Ken Quarrie, using a decade of data across 582 Tests from 2002 to 2011.

Nerves of steel: James O'Connor during the last World Cup. Credit:Shaun Botterill

O'Connor even beat out sharp-shooting South African Morne Steyn, who was found to be the most successful overall. Steyn dropped to second on the list of 100 Test players after factoring in the importance of the kick, including how close it was taken to the final whistle and its impact on the outcome of the game.

O'Connor, on the other hand, rocketed up the list from 47th position despite kicking at 70 per cent during the period. The data showed that the more that was riding on the kick, the better O'Connor performed. Former Wallabies midfielder Stirling Mortlock was also revealed as a cool head in a game-breaking situation. Mortlock came in at 66th most successful overall but shot up to third behind Steyn when the pressure was on.