Wallabies winger James O’Connor finds himself in potential hot water once again with the ARU, days after playing in the narrow win over Argentina in Perth on Saturday. Photo: Getty Images
James O’Connor’s future in Australian rugby will depend on the result of an ARU investigation of an incident at Perth airport last Sunday when the controversy-plagued Wallabies winger was escorted from the terminal by the Australian Federal Police.
O’Connor, who is understood to be on his last chance with the Wallabies after a string of disciplinary incidents stretching back several years, is understood to have been refused permission to board an Air Asia flight to Bali with his girlfriend because he was intoxicated.
Only hours earlier he had played in Australia’s hard-fought 14-13 Rugby Championship win over Argentina at Subiaco Oval.
A statement issued by the AFP yesterday alleged O’Connor was affected by alcohol but an ARU spokesman said it was still investigating whether this was the case. It is believed O’Connor has denied the claim.
“The AFP can confirm it spoke to a 23-year-old man at Perth International Airport in the early hours of the 15th of September (Sunday),” the AFP said in its statement.
“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.”
An ARU spokesman said last night the union was still trying to establish precisely what happened at the airport. – The Australian
For more Rugby Championship news, click here.
For more breaking sporting news and views, visit MySport24 on Twitter and Facebook.
