Struggling Julian Savea vows to continue at Toulon despite owner ordering him to leave

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Toulon boss wonders if the real Julian Savea got off the plane as he suggests the winger’s time in at club is coming to an end.

Struggling former All Blacks wing Julian Savea says he will be “putting all the negativity behind me” and will continue to train with Toulon despite a tirade from the French club’s owner.

Savea has been told he is free to go and not welcome at glamour club Toulon any more.

Outspoken Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal was so incensed with Savea’s performance in their 19-10 loss to Agen he said he would seek a DNA test, he told RMC radio in France.

Julian Savea’s rocky ride in French rugby continues at Toulon.

It seems Boudjellal doesn’t believe Savea is the same try-scoring machine he signed last year.

“I’m going to ask for a DNA test. They must have swapped him on the plane (when he joined from Hurricanes). If I were him I would apologise and go back to my home country,” Boudjella said.

But Julian Savea hit back with a tweet, saying he would adopt a “positive attitude … whether I am welcomed or not”.

That drew an immediate response form his wife Fatima who tweeted: “So proud of your maturity. You’re an amazing human being, father, husband and team mate and everyone who knows you will agree. Love you.”

Fatima had earlier expressed mental health concerns about players being targets for abuse amidst performance issues.

All Black Ardie Savea also showed support for his brother as he shared a message from former Wallaby and Toulon player Drew Mitchell.

“This type of carry on from [Boudjellal] won’t exactly entice other players to play for @RCTofficiel,” Mitchell tweeted.

“Business or not you just don’t treat ppl like this. Good luck wherever you play next bro! @juliansavea7”

Ardie shared Mitchell’s message, adding: “F…… Amen”

It remains to be seen if the controversial and demanding Boudjellal will follow through with his words.

“When we reach this level of play, we must apologise and leave,” Boudjellal said.

“I told him he was released and he was no longer welcome at Toulon. He has got a year left on his contract. He can do what he wants.

“A year can be long for the club but especially for the player … for me he is released.

“His identical twin brother looks very similar to him … we will have at least learnt that certain physical similarities are very striking.

“Sometimes, some players come for the wrong reasons …”

It continues a sorry time for Savea who joined Toulon from the Hurricanes on the back of a struggling period where he lost his way with the All Blacks.

A car accident and a mid-season trip to attend his brother Ardie’s wedding in Fiji have seen Savea hit the headlines in France for the wrong reasons.

Once touted as the next Jonah Lomu because of his imposing physique for a wing – 1.92 m and108kg – Savea scored 46 tries in 52 tests for the All Blacks. But he has scored just two tries for Toulon and even been tried in the midfield to get him more involved.

It was Toulon’s 10th loss of the season and sees them languishing in 11th place on the table.

Savea wasn’t the only player to raise the ire of Boudjellal. The owner said first-five Anthony Belleau had caught the “virus” surrounding the struggling France national side.

“He has caught the virus of the French team. They do not know how to play any longer. And I understand why he is not a starter in the French side due to his current level.”

Boudjellal told RMC that the current side were damaging the reputation of the four-time champion club.