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Toulon boss blasts Nonu, Cooper

Cape Town - All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Tom Taylor and Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper have all felt the sting of outspoken Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal who has been critical of their early efforts in Europe.

According to the Stuff website, the big-spending Frenchman has high standards - and expects his players and team to meet them.

Boudjellal has not been happy with some of his latest high profile signings as Toulon struggle in fourth in the French Top 14 championship with seven wins and five losses, albeit only two points behind current leaders, Racing 92.

In their European Champions Cup pool they lie second to London Wasps.

Cooper has had a tough act to follow in the form of England legend Jonny Wilkinson in the No 10 jersey.

Asked how the change was working, Boudjellal told Quinze Mondial: "It's difficult to go from foie gras to pâté." (translated to having Wilkinson as the duck delicacy and Cooper as the standard fare).

"For now, Cooper is not what I was hoping for. But we have to also give him time.

Earlier, Boudjellal had been critical of his two New Zealand signings.

He had labelled some of Nonu's performances as the backline's king-pin as "disappointing" but said he was "not worried" and that the All Blacks double Rugby World Cup winner wasn't "a lost bet".

Boudjellal told Le 10 Sport: "I can't tell you that I don't have concerns when I see the performances of Ma'a Nonu."

Taylor didn't escape his frank views either, clearly not giving his boss too much confidence with his goalkicking.

"I have the impression that Tom Taylor, an All Black, trembles each time he has a penalty attempt," Boudjellal said.

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