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Australian Team Chef de Mission for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Steve Moneghetti today said the thoughts of the entire Australian Team were with Australian Rugby Sevens player James Stannard.
Stannard was the victim of an unprovoked assault in Sydney early on Friday morning and remains in a stable condition in St Vincents Hospital with a fractured skull.
A 22-year old male has been charged with assault.
Due to the injuries sustained, Stannard has been ruled out of Australia’s Commonwealth Games Men’s Sevens team.
Moneghetti said the thoughts of all Australian athletes readying for Commonwealth Games were with Stannard and his loved ones.
“These sorts of incidents are just sickening. We all have our fingers crossed James can make a speedy recovery,” Moneghetti said.
“While we are absolutely disappointed for James that this terrible incident has cost him a chance at competing at the Commonwealth Games, at this stage our primary concern is his welfare.
“Commonwealth Games Australia will continue to work with Rugby Australia and will provide any support we can,” Moneghetti said.