Aussie Sevens captain James Stannard will miss the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, after suffering a fractured skull in a one-punch attack overnight.
Stannard, a revered member of the side, was recently appointed Aussie Sevens captain for the Commonwealth Games, replacing injured skipper Lewis Holland, but he was officially ruled out of what would have been his third Commonwealth Games tilt this afternoon.
Rugby Australia high performance manager Ben Whitaker said a replacement was yet to be decided upon for Stannard.
"The reports we have at the moment is it was an unprovoked attack and very unfortunate because it's obviously it's got James in a pretty bad way health-wise and obviously health comes first and footy second but it's cost him another Commonwealth Games, which is disappointing as well," he said.
"It would've been James' third Commonwealth Games.
Thinking of our mate @chuckystannard tonight as he recovers in the good care of doctors and nurses at St Vincent’s. Thoughts are also very much Kim, Layla, Zara, Mark, Sharron and the extended Stannard family. Stay strong Chucky 👊🏼💪🏼🇦🇺
— Andy Friend (@andyfriend2011) March 30, 2018He's an extremely important member of our team both on-field and off-field and the team will have to show again that we're a very resilient team to get through this to support James a) to get healthy and b) to work their way towards gold at the Comm Games."
Stannard was set to retire from rugby this season after a glittering career with the Australian team and stints with the Force and Brumbies in Super Rugby, and whether he will return to the rugby field is still unclear.
"We don't know that at this stage. We know that right now he needs some time to heal," Whitaker said.
"He's not available for the Commonwealth Games and that's obviously a massive disappointment for all of us and James and his family and then once that's sorted, we'll look at how he can return to play."
Stannard was with teammates and team management when he was allegedly punched in the head outside a Coogee kebab shop on Coogee Bay Rd at 3:10am on Friday morning, in what police say was an unprovoked assault, after a conversation between Stannard and a 22-year-old British man.
The 35-year-old hit his head on the footpath as a result of the assault, and was taken to St Vincents hospital,.where he remains conscious and in a stable condition, despite his injuries.
Though the 22-year-old man fled the scene, coach Andy Friend and Stannard's teammates Holland and Ben O'Donnell were able to detain the man until police arrived.
The man has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was released on bail on Friday, and is set to appear in court on Thursday April 19.
Stannard, his teammates and team management and familthad been at the Crowne Plaza for a farewell dinner for coach Friend, who is likely to leave the program after the Commonwealth Games.
Much of that group continued on to the Coogee Bay Hotel, where they were just before the incident.
Whitaker said the environment was a controlled one, not concerned by the late-night element of the matter.
"We had an organised function to celebrate and recognise the role Andy Friend has played with the team and occurred off the back of us having a series with New Zealand who are here for their preparation towards the Comm Games and family and friends, players, staff all gathered for dinner and went out afterwards," he said.
"They were all together and there was management involved the whole night, so it was a very civilised, organised event."
