Out-going coach Damien Hill says the Melbourne Rebels haven’t mistreated their axed Wallaby James O’Connor as claimed by AFL star Lance “Buddy” Franklin.
While O’Connor has remained tight-lipped the Test five-eighth’s close friend Franklin slammed the Rebels on Twitter after they announced this week they wouldn’t offer him a new deal.
“Just don’t understand how a club could treat an individual so badly.. Going to the extent to make @JamesOConnor832 look like a bad person,” Franklin tweeted on Wednesday night.
“He’s a gd person with a great heart & gd family morals. He does so much for rugby and grass roots also numerous charities – so disappointing.
“All for sake of the club coming out hands clean. Wld’nt see this in any other sport. #PoorForm #ScapeGoat #bigger&betterthings.
Believed to have alienated some at the Rebels with his at-times brash manner, O’Connor is yet to find a new Super Rugby club.
He has been named on the bench for Melbourne’s final match of the season, against the Highlanders at AAMI Park on Friday night.
O’Connor completed their final training session ahead of the game and looked relaxed amongst his teammates.
Hill, who has been replaced in his role by Wallabies assistant coach Tony McGahan, said the club hadn’t wronged the 23-year-old.
“Not one bit,” Hill said.
“Everybody commences their time at a football club with a start date and an end date with their contract, I’m no different.
“Decisions are made based on behaviours and performances when those things are being reviewed and that’s all that’s happened in James’ case.
“Nothing more should be read into it.”
Skipper Gareth Delve said he had spoken with O’Connor and that he was being professional about his predicament.
“Every time I’ve played with James he’s put his body on the line and I think a lot of people need to remember that,” Delve said.
Hill praised O’Connor for making himself available for their final game given the toll of the Lions series.
“I definitely haven’t pushed him to play.
“It’s a gutsy effort because he’s still feeling the effects of a pretty hard series and he’s going to inject off the bench so who knows what he’s going to bring in the last half of the game.”