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O'Connor thrown out of airport

Cape Town - Wallaby wing James O'Connor was barred from a flight at Perth Airport over the weekend because he was intoxicated, a report indicates.

According to the stuff.co.nz website, the 23-year-old was not allowed to board his scheduled flight to Melbourne after Australia's narrow 14-13 win over Argentina.

He was escorted from the terminal by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers.

A statement from AFP read: "Officers spoke to a 23-year-old man at Perth International Airport in the early hours of the 15th of September (Sunday).

"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."

Most of the Australian squad reportedly flew home ahead of the upcoming bye weekend in the Rugby Championship.

O'Connor is no stranger to controversy.

He was dumped from the Melbourne Rebels' Super Rugby squad earlier this year and also incurred some disciplinary issues and unwanted media headlines under former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans, including being spotted at a burger bar in the early hours in the week of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions in June.

The Wallabies next tackle the Springboks at Newlands on September 28.


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