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James O'Connor has not left the Reds on the best of terms.
choice words

James O'Connor is 'the greatest waste of Australian rugby talent'

The winger cut short his Queensland Reds stay and former Wallaby Greg Martin had some choice words for him.

THE QUEENSLAND REDS are better without James O’Connor according to former Australia international Greg Martin, who labelled the winger an “immature t***” following his exit from Super Rugby.

O’Connor was released from the Reds due to “personal reasons” on Tuesday with one year remaining on his two-year deal.

The 25-year-old — a 44-cap Australia international but was overlooked by Michael Cheika for the 2015 Rugby World Cup after struggling for form with the Reds this year — is expected to return to Europe to join Toulon.

O’Connor’s departure has been scrutinised by ex-Wallaby Martin, who told Brisbane’s Triple M radio station: “He’s an immature little t***. Anyone can mature, that showed me, apart from the Justin Bieber of Australian rugby, James O’Connor.

“He’s still only 25. This could be the greatest waste of Australian rugby talent. He’s played 44 Tests for Australia at the age of 25, hasn’t played in the last few years because of his bad attitude, a guy that just hasn’t matured and now they’re going ‘personal issues’.

“I’ll tell you what the personal issues are: he came back to Australia from France just saying, ‘Oh, I’ll make the Wallabies.’

“He didn’t make the Wallabies and, now he’s gone from the Reds despite owing them another year on his contract, he’s gone, ‘Stuff you I’ll go back to the fairytale land of French rugby and make plenty of money.

“Get stuffed!”

Martin, who represented Australia in 1989-1990, added: “[The Reds] certainly don’t need him. Can you imagine the Reds? They will be so happy. Remember that game this year when he came off the field arguing with the great All Black Adam Thomson, his team-mate, at half-time?

“That picture should have said it all: a little young punk with one of the greats of the modern game Adam Thomson having an argument on the field in front of the world as they went into the tunnel. That says it all. Who does he think he is?

“Well done, James. It’s been a pleasure.”

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