O'Connor Dismisses Heart Attack Reports

Getty Images

Former Australia back James O'Connor has denied French media reports he suffered a heart attack on the Toulon team bus last weekend.

Reports in France claimed O'Connor was given emergency treatment by team-mates on Toulon's return journey from their Top 14 match against Oyonnax on Sunday.

However, O'Connor posted a message on Twitter to say that he is fine, and will be out of action for two weeks.

The 25-year-old wrote: "No heart attack.. Hypoglycemia & game/training fatigue. All tests were very positive. Wish I could play 2moro but Toulon resting me for 2 weeks!"

Toulon coach Bernard Laporte had also played down the heart-attack reports during an interview with RMC radio on Friday, although he believes the player will be sidelined for a little longer.

He said: "James O'Connor felt unwell in the bus taking the team back from the Oyonnax game.

"The medical staff decided to take him to hospital and he underwent a considerable series of tests.

"I can reassure everyone he's fine. He will play rugby again but he will undergo further tests next week. James will miss three weeks, maybe four weeks of competition."

Related articles

• Firefighter dies battling Weranga blaze
• The inside track on France... from France! The lowdown on Les Bleus as Guy Noves' men prepare for crunch Cardiff clash
• Former head of Russian anti-doping agency 'dies of heart attack' - Telegraph
• Young women less likely to return to work after heart attacks
• Women More Likely To Die From First Heart Attack
• AstraZeneca : 19 February 2016 Brilique (ticagrelor) approved in EU for extended treatment of patients with history of heart attack Corporate press release

Chiefs Secure Super Rugby Title

Getty Images

New Zealand's Chiefs won their second successive Super Rugby title with a 27-22 victory over Australia's Brumbies at Waikato Stadium.

A Christian Lealiifano interception gave the Canberra-based Brumbies the opening try and a 16-9 half-time lead.

However, Chiefs pressure was turned into their first try from Liam Messam, and full-back Robbie Robinson burst through a gap to score a second.

Aaron Cruden's tally of one conversion and five penalties sealed victory.

Lealiifano scored all of his team's points to match the Super Rugby final record set by Joe Roff, also playing for the Brumbies, in 2004.

"It was a messy first half," said Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.

"They were able to get in and slow a lot of our ball and steal ball and we got sucked into trying to push too many passes. So there was real character shown in that second half. We got great impact off the bench."

Brumbies coach Jake White said: "Last week we were dead and buried in the 78th minute and we ended up winning (against the Bulls) and I had a little feeling it might happen again tonight.

"Obviously you have to be a bit disappointed. I don't want to single out players in our squad but there were a lot of mistakes that were made when the pressure was on, and that happens in finals."

Related articles

• Chiefs beat Brumbies to retain title
• Chiefs Beat Brumbies 27-22 for Second Straight Super Rugby Title - Bloomberg
• Chiefs tame Brumbies for Super 15 rugby crown
• Why I Don't Give The Brumbies A Chance In Super Rugby Final
• Brumbies' fairytale ends in heartbreak
• Chiefs, Brumbies set for Super Rugby final