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Toulon owner rules out new deal for 'kid with troubles' O'Connor
By Peter Thompson
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal believes James O'Connor is "a kid with troubles" and said his contract will not be extended after he was reportedly charged with being in possession of cocaine.
Former Australia utility-back O'Connor and ex-New Zealand international Ali Williams were jailed after being arrested in Paris early on Saturday.
Toulon released a statement saying O'Connor's alleged use of drugs "conveys a negative image far from the values ??that the club defends" and Boudjellal said the 26-year-old will be sanctioned by the Top 14 side.
O'Connor, who this month spoke of his desire to make a Wallabies comeback, is in the final year of his contract and looks set to move on at the end of the season.
"He won't escape a suspension," Boudjellal told Le Figaro. "He's a kid with troubles, he's 26. I’m not going to kill him either."
"Whatever decision I take, I will take everything into account, and I'll try not to damage the kid."
With regards to his contract situation, Boudjellal stated: "We're not at a stage where we would extend it. We'll try to manage this season, but I do not want to overburden him."
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Latest Comments
his best season was 2021.
I'd play Ford or Fin.
Go to commentsScott Robertson is within his rights to state a case. Richie Mo'unga would have made a huge difference to the All Blacks this year. To say he and Richie worked well together at the Crusaders is a massive understatement. 7 titles speaks for itself. He then guided Brave Lupus to the Japanese League title in 2024. It worked well when Richie's fellow Crusaders great Matt Todd and team mate ,was able to play for the All Blacks while in Japan in 2018.
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