The following from News24:-
"Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal singled out ex-All Black Julian Savea following the club's latest defeat, saying he "was no longer welcome".
"I'm going to ask for a DNA test, this isn't the Savea that we signed. They must have changed him on the plane," Boudjellal fumed on Sunday, the day after a 19-10 defeat to Agen.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner joined Toulon amid much fanfare last summer, but the 28-year-old has failed to replicate the form that saw him score 46 tries in 54 caps for New Zealand.
With only two tries since signing for the Top 14 side Savea was no match for the speed of Fijian wing Benito Masilevu in Agen's second try.
Boudjellal, speaking to RMC Sport, said: "I told him (Savea) he was free and no longer welcome at Toulon.
"He has one year left on his contract. He can do what he wants. It's going to be a long year for the club but especially for the player."
Toulon are having a woeful season, the side that lifted the European Cup three times in a row between 2013 and 2015 languishing in 11th place in France.
And after failing to make the Top 14 playoffs for the first time since 2012 Savea was by no means the only target for Boudjellal's frustration.
Referring to flyhalf Anthony Belleau he said: "I can see why he isn't starting for France given his current level.
"Some players are average because they want to leave and others because they won't be as well paid anywhere else. A lot will be let go."
The owner of Toulon must have totally lost his cool about the Clubs contracting some players and Savea is just one of those. The club a few months ago released Nonu from his contract early and even though they were diplomatic in doing so - it was evident that Nonu was not producing the goods expected from him, otherwise they would mnot release him early, Fact is that they did release Nonu so he can play for Auckland - in the case of Savea he will not ne released - he will just remain on contract and will not play any rugby for the year,
The above are not the only players performing below expectations for their NH clubs - there are other ex-AB's playing in the NH clubs whose performances are not up the expected standard - while they get massive salaries.
This could mean problems for future contracts for ex-AB players, Recently there was a report that the AB's was shying away from signing contracts with French clubs - but the question remains, are the clubs really interested in AB players and offer them the salaries they expected based on their reputations.
The clubs that made fanfare signings with NZ players are not actually doing that well in their present competitions. Bristol for instance is third lowest on the Aviva Premiership log (10th) and Northampton is 7th on the log. Pau is 10th on the Top 14 log and Montpellier (Aaron Cruden) is 9th.
Maybe the AB players are good in their team environment and game plans, but not so good when they are outside of that environment.
