Speedstick Baker to miss Sydney7s with broken jaw

Sat, Jan 26, 2019, 5:02 AM
AAP
by AAP
Perry Baker will miss Sydney after suffering a broken jaw against Tonga in the Hamilton Sevens. Photo: Getty Images
Perry Baker will miss Sydney after suffering a broken jaw against Tonga in the Hamilton Sevens. Photo: Getty Images

Two-time World Sevens player of the year Perry Baker will miss the Sydney Sevens next weekend after suffering a broken jaw on day one of the Hamilton Sevens in New Zealand.

The USA speedster was taking the ball up against Tonga in a pool game when he was tackled in a dangerous fashion by Tana Fotofili.

Fotofili's head-on-head hot saw Baker smashed in the face and the Tongan player was yellow carded.

Baker left the field and though cleared of concussion, USA Rugby later announced he'd suffered a fractured jaw and would be flying home for surgery.

The loss of the world's best sevens player is a huge blow for the USA but also a bummer for the Sydney Sevens organisers, and Aussie fans, who won't get to see the electric speedster in action at Spotless Stadium next weekend.


Baker won consecutive titles for World Rugby's Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

 

 

 

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