James O’Connor has been escorted from Perth International Airport by police after Saturday nights 1 point win over Argentina.
Players had the week off and many chose to return to their home cities after the match. The squad will return to Sydney on Saturday for a Monday flight for their South Africa and Argentina tour. O’Connor had planned to catch a 5am flight early Sunday morning to Bali with his girlfriend.
Witnesses claim he was intoxicated whilst being removed by police; however, O’Connor denies he was drunk but rather, a dispute over seating arrangements sparked his removal.
An AFP spokesman said, “It is alleged the man was intoxicated. The airline the man was booked to travel with made a decision not to allow him to board the aircraft. The AFP subsequently escorted the man from the terminal.”
Just over a month ago O’Connor had pledged to clean up his act; however, the latest incident is one of numerous off field incidences which has tarnished his reputation.
In August 2011 he missed the official World Cup Squad announcement after he claimed he slept in, which earned him a one match ban.
This year he was infamously spotted with teammate Kurtley Beale at Hungry Jacks at 4am during the week of the Wallabies second test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne. Lesser known, he and Kurtley also missed a bus to training in which they had to catch a taxi. To cap it off he did not attend the final Wallabies team meeting after the Lions series loss in Sydney.
In July this year, the Rebels announced that they would not be offering O’Connor another contract. The reasons are strongly suggested to be related to behavioural and attitudinal problems.
This latest development will have significant ramifications. Action by Ewen McKenzie is likely after stating he had made behaviour standards “very clear” after taking over as Wallaby coach. This means O’Connor’s chances of taking part in the tour Argentina and South Africa are slim.
A deal with the Western Force was expected to be announced very soon; however, after stating that they would not jeopardise team culture by signing him, the deal could fall through. This would leave him with no Super rugby clubs willing to sign him increasing the chances of him switching to NRL or heading overseas.
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