Winger in trouble after being denied access to a flight due to being drunk.
Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie has taken the hard-line stance against wayward winger James O’Connor standing him down for the rest of the Rugby Championship.
O’Connor landed in more hot water in his career when he attempted to board a flight from Perth Airport, only to be denied as he was too drunk.
As a result, O’Connor was escorted out by police and the latest controversy has put his immediate career in doubt.
“We’re standing him down and getting on with business,” McKenzie said.
“We need to move forward. I’ve been pretty strong on what I think is important and espoused that to the group.
“Everyone’s bought in, but he’s let his team-mates down on the weekend. From my perspective, that is not acceptable.
“There’s still information to be gathered there that’s taking a bit of time because of privacy laws. So we’re getting that info together and then forming a proper opinion about the specifics of that.
“He won’t participating on the tour, but I’ll be working with him. He’s got to make some substantial changes about how he goes about things.
McKenzie says he is laying down the gauntlet to O’Connor, saying a significant behavioral change will be required to get back into Wallabies reckoning.
“He’s a good footballer, no one disputes that. But there’s a track record of similar types of events, albeit in different circumstances.
“A significant change of behaviour is required. There’s a challenge to him.”
O’Connor will not feature in the Wallabies upcoming games against South Africa and Argentina, with the winger to also miss out on $22,000 in match payments alone.
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